Cormac Ryan has been keeping himself rather active in the lead-up to the NBA Draft. This summer, the former UNC basketball star—who isn’t thought of as a first-round pick—will aim to earn a spot on an NBA team’s roster. It is not completely implausible that an NBA team would give him a shot, even just to participate in the NBA Summer League, given his skills and experience. Ryan worked out with the Boston Celtics, who won the Eastern Conference, on Monday before the draft.
Those of you who follow Ryan on Instagram and other social media platforms may have noticed that he has been quite vocal about sharing photos from his workouts before the draft. Among the many teams that Ryan has worked out for recently is the Los Angeles Lakers. In a league where clubs are constantly trying to improve their shooting, Ryan’s ability to consistently shoot well from beyond the arc makes him an intriguing potential. Ryan isn’t just a deep shooter; he’s a tough player who can lock down defenses, give his team a boost, and lead in and out of the game.
Despite just playing for the Tar Heels for a year, Ryan had a significant influence on the UNC basketball program. Throughout the 2023–2024 season, Ryan was a mainstay for the Tar Heel supporters, thanks to his huge shots against Duke and his heroics on top of the team bus after the Blue Devils’ loss, which solidified the ACC regular season title. Ryan is now seeking a professional home, much like his old comrade Armando Bacot. Who knows? Maybe one of the NBA teams will take a risk on them and bring them back together in the pros. Or maybe we’ll just have to pray that they face off on the largest stage of all time.
