Wayne Bristol played high school basketball locally at Riverdale Baptist in 2017-18 but was lightly recruited, taking a prep year at St. Thomas More (CT) and choosing Howard over an offer at USC Upstate. The son of the former Maryland player of the same name from 1990-94, Bristol was named MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2019-20, averaging 12.2 points per game on 41 percent shooting, with 50 three pointers in 33 games.

A shoulder injury sidelined Bristol in the a season where Howard only played four games due to COVID-19, and he entered the transfer portal before the start of the 2021-22 season. Bristol gained eligibility at Georgetown for the spring portion of the 2021-22 schedule but sat out the remainder of the season. As a junior, he started in three games, with a season's high of 16 points versus Marquette. As a senior, Bristol saw reserve duty as a defensive specialist, finishing second on the team in steals.

Following his graduation in May 2024, Bristol intends to pursue a graduate transfer option.