It doesn’t get much more exciting for a high school prospect than what Matt Ryan experienced on Wednesday.
Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua and North Carolina assistant Hubert Davis both reached out to the 6-foot-6, 200-pound 2015 Iona Prep small forward.
“Big day,” an excited Ryan told SNY.tv. “[Antigua] texted me a couple minutes ago and asked me how I was doing and saying they’re interested.
“He said that he wants to come up and see me and that he’s heard a lot of great things about me.”
Asked what it felt like to hear from the No. 1 team in the nation, the Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., native said, “Oh, man, it feels amzaing. Just what they’re doing right now recruiting the best players in the country. Getting a text from them was really exciting.”
Earlier Wednesday, North Carolina’s Davis texted Ryan and reached out to Iona Prep coach Vic Quirolo.
“It felt great,” Ryan said. “Coach Vic said that they talked. I was actually shocked at first, but very relieved. [Davs] saw me play in Las Vegas and I had a really good game, so I was glad he called.”
Duke has also watched Ryan this year, as have Georgetown, Virginia and Vanderbilt, among others. Notre Dame is one of several programs to offer, and Ryan and Irish coach Mike Brey have a strong relationship.
But now Ryan is hearing from the biggest of the big with Kentucky and Carolina showing interest.
“When you’re talking about interest from Duke, Kentucky, UNC, these are some of the most storied programs in the history of college basketball,” New Heights coach Chris Alesi said. “Matt has the rare combination of great size and elite shooting ability, couple with improved strength and athleticism, but again, the main constants with him are attitude and work ethic.
“There’s not a better kid or harder worker.”
Photo: MSG Varsity
