DePaul University Athletics
Where Are They Now Wednesday: Brittany Hrynko
10/14/2020 12:39:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Former Blue Demon entertaining audiences worldwide with Harlem Globetrotters
CHICAGO – Welcome to a fun trip down memory lane as we present a series of feature profiles known as "Where Are They Now Wednesday."
In the middle of each week as we navigate our way around a deadly pandemic, we will bring back a little normalcy into your world reminiscing about some of those favorite Blue Demon players that you cheered on in the days when we could all get loud and rowdy at a packed arena or stadium where no one ever heard of social distancing.
We will get the DePaul community and Blue Demon nation caught up on the life and times of familiar faces who brought you good vibes during their playing days in Lincoln Park.
Some continue to pursue their dream of playing in the pros, both overseas and in this country while others have launched successful careers and started raising a family of their own.
One thing they all share is a deep, abiding sense of kinship and gratitude for the impact on their lives from the DePaul experience and the willing sacrifices of coaches and athletics personnel to kick-start a successful journey while unlocking their vast potential.
We shine this week's spotlight on former All-American guard Brittany Hrynko (2011-15) who led the Blue Demons to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances including once to the Sweet 16 and twice to the NCAA Second Round.
She is the school's all-time leader in career assists with 680 and the fifth-leading scorer of all-time with 1,970 points. Other career marks include third all-time in three-pointers, three-point attempts, field goal attempts and steals, No. 6 in free throw attempts, No. 8 in field goals and No. 9 in field goals.
Hrynko went off for a career-high 38 points at Georgetown in January of 2015 which is tied for the sixth-best, single-game performance in school history. She was drafted by the Connecticut Sun in the second round of the 2015 WNBA Draft and then traded to the Atlanta Dream.
After stints with the San Antonio Stars and Tulsa Shock, Hrynko signed with entertainment icon Harlem Globetrotters in 2018 and is still delighting fans worldwide.
In her own words, Britt brings us up-to-date in this Q & A exchange.
What has happened since graduating from DePaul?
Since graduating from DePaul…
***I was drafted in the second round (19th pick) in the WNBA by the Connecticut Sun in 2015. Then traded to the Atlanta Dream, but was released and short after signed short term contracts with San Antonio Stars and Tulsa Shock.
***Played professionally overseas in Israel (2015-2016), Slovakia (2016) won the league Championship, Italy (2016) short season due to pregnancy, and then played in Germany (2017-2018).
***Signed with the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters in 2018 and still playing with them.
***I also currently work in a daycare as a teacher.
How did you wind up with your current team and when did your pro career begin?
My pro career began in 2015 when I was drafted to the WNBA and I am still playing professionally to this day with the Harlem Globetrotters. I ended up with them because a close friend (Darnell "Speedy" Artist), who I've known since I was seven years old, was on the team and would always tell me about it as well as one of the female players (Bria "Swish" Young). Those two talked me into it and I'm glad they did. I left my son Drew with my mom Jeannette when he was three-months-old to go play in Germany, and that was the hardest thing I ever had to do.
What are some of the highlights of your pro career?
The first highlight of my pro career was getting drafted to the WNBA. That was my childhood dream, and I am glad I was able to achieve it. Second would have to be winning the Slovakian league championship with the Good Angels. Third I would say just being able to travel the world with the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters. I visited six countries in just one year. That alone is amazing.
If I had to choose, I would say one of my favorite highlights would have to be playing at the Staples Center and wearing Kobe Bryant's number after he passed away. Another one of my favorites would have to be when I got a chance to play back in the Allstate Area in Rosemont. It brought back so many memories from playing with DePaul, but it was also memorable because the women's basketball team was there to support me. Although they weren't there when I was, I'm sure they heard a lot about me or at least remembered me from their recruiting visits. I felt like I was back home!
How well did your team perform last season, and how is the current season unfolding?
We win EVERY game no matter what!
As a youngster, did you dream of one day playing in the pros? What's it like to make that dream come true?
As a youngster, becoming a professional basketball player was always my dream. To make that dream come true is surreal. It's an amazing feeling and an even better story for me to tell my son. Not many people stick with their dream and actually overcome everything that was put in the way for them to fail. So, to be one of those people is an amazing feeling, and I am beyond grateful to have done so.
Where do you live during the season and what is your community like?
On tour, I live in hotels. As a Globetrotter, we are constantly traveling. Day in and day out we are in a different city or state, so, it is very difficult to have a set place to stay.
Who are your better friends on the team and what is the team chemistry like?
Because we are on tour for so many months, we all became family. Our chemistry is GREAT because we are with each other every day, on and off the court. The only time we are apart is when we finally get to the hotel to get a couple of hours of sleep. Then, we are right back together.
How do you spend your free time?
In season: Although our free time is limited, the time I do get to myself I choose to go shopping and just watch different movies/TV shows on Netflix and Hulu.
Out of season: I spend all of my time with my son and nephew. Most of the year I am away from them with all the traveling during the season. So, when I am out of season and done with work, they both get all of my time.
What is the situation with the coronavirus in your locale? What precautions are being taken to keep you healthy?
Coronavirus is still "a thing" in the city of Philadelphia. Yes, some places are still closed, but for the most part a lot of places are open. Most people make sure they wear their mask, but there are always some who don't. I just try my best to stay safe and protected. I go out to work and then back home. I work in a daycare connected to a hospital so we have been open since Covid began. Thankfully, I have been healthy the entire time!
How has COVID-19 affected your season and your life overall?
Due to Covid, my season has been on hold since mid-March. A lot of the arenas we play in were closed, and with the NBA canceling their season, we of course had to cancel ours. As Globetrotters, our fans are the show. We are constantly interacting with them and getting them involved so it would have been hard to do so.
I would have to say, Covid actually made my life better overall. With constant travel and being away from home, finally being able to spend endless time with my family has been amazing. I have been cherishing everything about this Covid life. I haven't been able to be home with my family this long since I was in high school.
What did you learn from your DePaul experience that is helping you now?
"Wake up in the morning with a smile on your face and show the world you're beautiful!" This is one quote I hated in school because I NEVER smiled. Every time I would hear it, I would get upset. Now, I'm always smiling because in the big picture, life is great. Although in the little picture of life things may not be going so well, there are always others who are going through worse than you.
So, just being happy to be healthy and alive is more than 100 reasons why you should wake up smiling. I think without coach Bruno instilling that in me, I never would have understood. It's never about the little picture---it's always about the bigger picture. Your smile can make someone else's day. You never know what someone is going through, so you just have to be thankful every morning you wake up.
Was there a favorite coach, professor or teammate who motivated you to reach this level of success?
Coach Bruno was one of my favorite coaches who motivated me to reach this level of success. I say this because although he and I bumped heads about everything, he was always right. Once I understood that he was only trying to help make me a better basketball player as well as a better person was when I started to realize how much potential I really had. He believed in me, and I cannot thank him enough for just that alone.
What are the best memories you have of being a Blue Demon?
The best memories I have of being a Blue Demon would have to be winning multiple league championships, but my all-time favorite would definitely be beating Duke at Duke to advance to the Sweet 16.
What do you miss the most about DePaul?
I miss my teammates the most. Every last single one of them! From the time I got there in 2011 until I finished in 2015. They were my home away from home. We all have so many memories together both on and off the court. Together We Will… Always be Family!
What advice would you pass onto current Blue Demons considering a pro career? How much hard work and perseverance does it take?
The advice I would pass on would have to be NEVER GIVE UP. If becoming a pro is something you want to do, chase that dream until you get it. Coach Bruno is going to push you to your full potential, and although you may not understand why he is always hard on you in the moment, you will later appreciate him for it when you are looking back on everything you accomplish. "Without struggle there is no progress." No matter what gets in your way, continue to push through those hard times. It will all be worth it in the end.
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In the middle of each week as we navigate our way around a deadly pandemic, we will bring back a little normalcy into your world reminiscing about some of those favorite Blue Demon players that you cheered on in the days when we could all get loud and rowdy at a packed arena or stadium where no one ever heard of social distancing.
We will get the DePaul community and Blue Demon nation caught up on the life and times of familiar faces who brought you good vibes during their playing days in Lincoln Park.
Some continue to pursue their dream of playing in the pros, both overseas and in this country while others have launched successful careers and started raising a family of their own.
One thing they all share is a deep, abiding sense of kinship and gratitude for the impact on their lives from the DePaul experience and the willing sacrifices of coaches and athletics personnel to kick-start a successful journey while unlocking their vast potential.
We shine this week's spotlight on former All-American guard Brittany Hrynko (2011-15) who led the Blue Demons to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances including once to the Sweet 16 and twice to the NCAA Second Round.
She is the school's all-time leader in career assists with 680 and the fifth-leading scorer of all-time with 1,970 points. Other career marks include third all-time in three-pointers, three-point attempts, field goal attempts and steals, No. 6 in free throw attempts, No. 8 in field goals and No. 9 in field goals.
Hrynko went off for a career-high 38 points at Georgetown in January of 2015 which is tied for the sixth-best, single-game performance in school history. She was drafted by the Connecticut Sun in the second round of the 2015 WNBA Draft and then traded to the Atlanta Dream.
After stints with the San Antonio Stars and Tulsa Shock, Hrynko signed with entertainment icon Harlem Globetrotters in 2018 and is still delighting fans worldwide.
In her own words, Britt brings us up-to-date in this Q & A exchange.
What has happened since graduating from DePaul?
Since graduating from DePaul…
***I was drafted in the second round (19th pick) in the WNBA by the Connecticut Sun in 2015. Then traded to the Atlanta Dream, but was released and short after signed short term contracts with San Antonio Stars and Tulsa Shock.
***Played professionally overseas in Israel (2015-2016), Slovakia (2016) won the league Championship, Italy (2016) short season due to pregnancy, and then played in Germany (2017-2018).
***Signed with the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters in 2018 and still playing with them.
***I also currently work in a daycare as a teacher.
How did you wind up with your current team and when did your pro career begin?
My pro career began in 2015 when I was drafted to the WNBA and I am still playing professionally to this day with the Harlem Globetrotters. I ended up with them because a close friend (Darnell "Speedy" Artist), who I've known since I was seven years old, was on the team and would always tell me about it as well as one of the female players (Bria "Swish" Young). Those two talked me into it and I'm glad they did. I left my son Drew with my mom Jeannette when he was three-months-old to go play in Germany, and that was the hardest thing I ever had to do.
What are some of the highlights of your pro career?
The first highlight of my pro career was getting drafted to the WNBA. That was my childhood dream, and I am glad I was able to achieve it. Second would have to be winning the Slovakian league championship with the Good Angels. Third I would say just being able to travel the world with the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters. I visited six countries in just one year. That alone is amazing.
If I had to choose, I would say one of my favorite highlights would have to be playing at the Staples Center and wearing Kobe Bryant's number after he passed away. Another one of my favorites would have to be when I got a chance to play back in the Allstate Area in Rosemont. It brought back so many memories from playing with DePaul, but it was also memorable because the women's basketball team was there to support me. Although they weren't there when I was, I'm sure they heard a lot about me or at least remembered me from their recruiting visits. I felt like I was back home!
How well did your team perform last season, and how is the current season unfolding?
We win EVERY game no matter what!
As a youngster, did you dream of one day playing in the pros? What's it like to make that dream come true?
As a youngster, becoming a professional basketball player was always my dream. To make that dream come true is surreal. It's an amazing feeling and an even better story for me to tell my son. Not many people stick with their dream and actually overcome everything that was put in the way for them to fail. So, to be one of those people is an amazing feeling, and I am beyond grateful to have done so.
Where do you live during the season and what is your community like?
On tour, I live in hotels. As a Globetrotter, we are constantly traveling. Day in and day out we are in a different city or state, so, it is very difficult to have a set place to stay.
Who are your better friends on the team and what is the team chemistry like?
Because we are on tour for so many months, we all became family. Our chemistry is GREAT because we are with each other every day, on and off the court. The only time we are apart is when we finally get to the hotel to get a couple of hours of sleep. Then, we are right back together.
How do you spend your free time?
In season: Although our free time is limited, the time I do get to myself I choose to go shopping and just watch different movies/TV shows on Netflix and Hulu.
Out of season: I spend all of my time with my son and nephew. Most of the year I am away from them with all the traveling during the season. So, when I am out of season and done with work, they both get all of my time.
What is the situation with the coronavirus in your locale? What precautions are being taken to keep you healthy?
Coronavirus is still "a thing" in the city of Philadelphia. Yes, some places are still closed, but for the most part a lot of places are open. Most people make sure they wear their mask, but there are always some who don't. I just try my best to stay safe and protected. I go out to work and then back home. I work in a daycare connected to a hospital so we have been open since Covid began. Thankfully, I have been healthy the entire time!
How has COVID-19 affected your season and your life overall?
Due to Covid, my season has been on hold since mid-March. A lot of the arenas we play in were closed, and with the NBA canceling their season, we of course had to cancel ours. As Globetrotters, our fans are the show. We are constantly interacting with them and getting them involved so it would have been hard to do so.
I would have to say, Covid actually made my life better overall. With constant travel and being away from home, finally being able to spend endless time with my family has been amazing. I have been cherishing everything about this Covid life. I haven't been able to be home with my family this long since I was in high school.
What did you learn from your DePaul experience that is helping you now?
"Wake up in the morning with a smile on your face and show the world you're beautiful!" This is one quote I hated in school because I NEVER smiled. Every time I would hear it, I would get upset. Now, I'm always smiling because in the big picture, life is great. Although in the little picture of life things may not be going so well, there are always others who are going through worse than you.
So, just being happy to be healthy and alive is more than 100 reasons why you should wake up smiling. I think without coach Bruno instilling that in me, I never would have understood. It's never about the little picture---it's always about the bigger picture. Your smile can make someone else's day. You never know what someone is going through, so you just have to be thankful every morning you wake up.
Was there a favorite coach, professor or teammate who motivated you to reach this level of success?
Coach Bruno was one of my favorite coaches who motivated me to reach this level of success. I say this because although he and I bumped heads about everything, he was always right. Once I understood that he was only trying to help make me a better basketball player as well as a better person was when I started to realize how much potential I really had. He believed in me, and I cannot thank him enough for just that alone.
What are the best memories you have of being a Blue Demon?
The best memories I have of being a Blue Demon would have to be winning multiple league championships, but my all-time favorite would definitely be beating Duke at Duke to advance to the Sweet 16.
What do you miss the most about DePaul?
I miss my teammates the most. Every last single one of them! From the time I got there in 2011 until I finished in 2015. They were my home away from home. We all have so many memories together both on and off the court. Together We Will… Always be Family!
What advice would you pass onto current Blue Demons considering a pro career? How much hard work and perseverance does it take?
The advice I would pass on would have to be NEVER GIVE UP. If becoming a pro is something you want to do, chase that dream until you get it. Coach Bruno is going to push you to your full potential, and although you may not understand why he is always hard on you in the moment, you will later appreciate him for it when you are looking back on everything you accomplish. "Without struggle there is no progress." No matter what gets in your way, continue to push through those hard times. It will all be worth it in the end.
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