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Alumni duo create brand to help student-athletes find success outside of sports

Related Topics: Next Play, near

Scott Cross wasn’t surprised when he heard that two of his former athletes, alumni DJ Bryant and Link Kabadyundi, had become business partners.

Entrepreneurial spirit and a strong friendship led Bryant and Kabadyundi to create Next Play, a brand focused on helping student-athletes achieve success outside of sports.

“Birds of a feather flock together. Like I mentioned, I mean, those are two of the greatest guys I’ve ever been around,” said Cross, former men’s basketball head coach. “It wouldn’t shock me if they continue working together outside of this.”

The pair jump-started the brand in early 2019, Kabadyundi said in an email.