City leaders in Reno opened the week by setting aside two distinct days, one honoring a prominent community figure and another tied to the region’s biggest rivalry game, marking a rare pairing of recognition and tradition.
On Wednesday, Mayor Hillary Schieve and the city council declared November 19, 2025, as “Eathan O'Bryant Day,” recognizing the long-time community contributions of the University of Nevada Athletics Hall of Famer and 2025 Athletics Distinguished Alumnus.
The proclamation highlighted his wide-reaching influence across Reno and Northern Nevada.
The council also recognized the University of Nevada, Reno, for its impact on the community and local economy. Officials announced that November 29, 2025, the date of the Battle for the Fremont Cannon against UNLV at Mackay Stadium, with a kick-off of 6 p.m., would be celebrated as “Paint the Cannon Blue Day.” Wolfie Jr. joined the event and was appointed “Mayor for the Day.”
"Today was such a special day recognizing Eathan O'Bryant for all of his contributions to our community," said Nevada Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe. "Eathan's love for the Wolf Pack, Reno, and Northern Nevada embodies the very best of the University and our alumni. Thank you to Mayor Schieve and the city council for its recognition of Eathan and its support of the Wolf Pack in our upcoming Battle for the Fremont Cannon next week in Nevada's College Town!"
O’Bryant entered the Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021 after two successful seasons with the Wolf Pack beginning in 1994. He averaged 11.2 points and 7.6 assists and earned Big West Second Team honors in his first season, followed by First Team recognition in 1995. Entering the 2025-26 season, his 7.7 assists per game remain second in program history, while his 438 career assists rank seventh. His single-season totals of 227 assists in 1993-94 and 210 in 1994-95 remain among the program’s top marks.
His professional path took him through Europe, where he earned MVP honors in Slovakia, before joining the Harlem Globetrotters for 11 years. In 2002, he helped develop the “C.H.E.E.R. for Character” program, presented in hundreds of elementary schools with support from the U.S. Department of Education. He was named 2007 Celebrity of the Year by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Off the court, O’Bryant has mentored young athletes through the Nevada Basketball Academy and his nonprofit Youth In Pursuit, which supports teen fathers and helps children pursue goals. He currently works with Kids Kottage, and more than 300 of his students have earned basketball scholarships.
He has also served on multiple boards, including appointments to the Nevada State Board of Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapy, Renown Health, Hometown Health, the Nevada Military Support Alliance, Children’s Cabinet, and Art of Childhood. He is a former president of the Wolf Pack Athletic Association.
