Bryant Nolan Jr. is a 6’7″ athlete from Rockford, Illinois, a city known for its tough environment. He grew up surrounded by poverty and hardship including violence and gangs. He lost friends to gun violence and often jail. His father was incarcerated early in his life and he was raised with his two brothers by a hard working mother. Adversity was a constant. Bryant found meaning and purpose in sports – football and basketball.
The tragic loss of his brother to gun violence in 2021 deeply impacted him leaving a lasting mark and pushing him into a battle with depression.
Despite it all, Bryant turned to faith and returned to church, leaning on his love for sports, which he credits with saving his life. His journey is far from over, but he stands as a testament to resilience. Now, he’s focused on inspiring the next generation — reminding them to never give up, no matter how hard life gets, because their moment could be just around the corner.
