KU's Cydnee Bryant Embraces Being a 2-Sport Athlete

The McDonald's All-American is set to play both basketball and volleyball for the Jayhawks next season.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a basketball player and volleyball player in sharp, overlapping geometric planes, with their faces and uniforms deconstructed into abstract shapes and a vibrant color palette of royal blue, crimson red, and golden yellow.Cydnee Bryant's rare commitment to excel in both basketball and volleyball at the collegiate level is captured in this cubist-inspired illustration.Topeka Today

Cydnee Bryant, a McDonald's All-American who will play basketball and volleyball for the University of Kansas next season, is embracing her status as a two-sport athlete. Bryant, whose brother Carter played in the McDonald's All-American Game in 2024 before being drafted by the NBA, is grateful for the opportunity and is focused on sticking to her strengths and not having too many expectations.

Why it matters

Bryant's commitment to playing both basketball and volleyball at the Division I level is rare, as most elite athletes tend to specialize in one sport. Her ability to excel in two sports could make her a valuable asset to the Jayhawks' programs and could inspire other young athletes to pursue multiple passions.

The details

Bryant, a 6-foot-4 forward, is signed to play women's basketball for Kansas next season. She is also set to join the Jayhawks' volleyball team. Bryant said that basketball and volleyball are her 'non-negotiable' passions, and that she was advised by her family to make that clear during the recruiting process. She believes that playing both sports will help her development, as volleyball helps with her explosiveness on the basketball court, while basketball improves her coordination.

  • Bryant's brother, Carter, played in the McDonald's All-American Game in 2024.
  • Carter Bryant was drafted by the NBA in 2025.
  • Cydnee Bryant will play in the 2026 McDonald's All-American Game on Tuesday, March 31.
  • Cydnee Bryant will join the Kansas Jayhawks for the 2026-27 athletic season.

The players

Cydnee Bryant

A McDonald's All-American who will play both basketball and volleyball for the University of Kansas next season.

Carter Bryant

Cydnee Bryant's brother, who played in the McDonald's All-American Game in 2024 before being drafted by the NBA in 2025.

Brandon Schneider

The head coach of the Kansas women's basketball team, who described Bryant as someone who brings immediate size and physicality to the team's front line.

Matt Ulmer

The head coach of the Kansas women's volleyball team, who described Bryant as an elite athlete and determined competitor who has the personality and ability to bring people together.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Basketball and volleyball are my passions, and those are the things I love to do, and when I was getting recruited, my mom, my family, they were like, 'If it's really what you want to do, you have to make yourself a non-negotiable.' And that's who I am. So, basketball and volleyball are my non-negotiable, and you need to play at a high level in a league like the Big 12. It means the world to me to know that I have multiple different staffs and teammates that trust in my abilities to go out there and dominate in both sports.”

— Cydnee Bryant

“Cydnee brings immediate size and physicality to our front line.”

— Brandon Schneider, Kansas Women's Basketball Coach

“Cydnee is an elite athlete and determined competitor who has the personality and ability to bring people together.”

— Matt Ulmer, Kansas Women's Volleyball Coach

What’s next

Bryant will make her debut for the Kansas women's basketball and volleyball teams in the 2026-27 athletic season.

The takeaway

Cydnee Bryant's commitment to playing both basketball and volleyball at the Division I level for Kansas is a rare and impressive feat. Her ability to excel in two sports could make her a valuable asset to the Jayhawks' programs and could inspire other young athletes to pursue multiple passions.