Matt Ryan.Photo: Rich Obrey/NBAE via Getty
Boston CelticsplayerMatt Ryanhas come a long way.
In a stirring postgame interview Monday, Ryan revealed he was driving for DoorDash just one year ago, a far cry from sinking the game-winning shot to beat the Milwaukee Bucks a few minutes earlier.
“It’s pretty emotional,” Ryan, 25,saidafter his three pointer made him a Summer League legend.
“It’s been a crazy 11 months. I was home for a year and a half,“he told reporters. During that time, Ryan drove for the food delivery app and worked in a cemetery in Yonkers, New York, according toThe Athletic.
“I don’t know if you guys heard my story, but I was driving DoorDash a year ago,” Ryan told reporters after Monday’s game.
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Ryan added, “To be here, to be a part of the Boston Celtics is special. It’s special.”
Ryan signed a two-way contract with the Celtics in February, after competing in last year’s Summer League for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has the chance to play during the regular season, depending on how he does this summer, and so far he’s impressing.
Celtics Summer League coach Ben Sullivantold The Athletic, “Matt’s got great confidence, great fundamentals, a quick release,” said Sullivan. “He puts a lot of pressure on the defense from the outside.”
Sullivan also praised what he’s seen of Ryan’s shot organization and confidence. “I’m pretty impressed with how quickly he can get organized and into his shot no matter how quickly he’s moving east, west, north, south. When you can do that, then you can get a shot off at almost any time.”
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“I’m feeling really, really grateful for these opportunities — every day putting a jersey on and playing basketball is a gift,“Ryan wrote on Instagram in March.
ANovember 2020 Instagram postshows him practicing shots in the gym. “There’s nothing I love doing more than this,” he wrote. “Being in the gym and just working. The greatest feeling is when you can literally feel yourself getting better at something due to your own diligence and consistency.”
Next, Ryan and the Boston Celtics will take on theMemphis GrizzliesThursday in Las Vegas.
source: people.com
