Pic Credit: Maxima Roma

Matt Ryan (200-G/F-1997, college: Chattanooga) is a 29 year old 203cm forward from New York playing his sixth professional season and second overseas with Maxima Roma as he was briefly with BC Dubai last season. He played his first 5 professional seasons in the NBA playing 82 games for teams like the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks. He also spent time in the G-League with Grand Rapids, Maine, Iowa, Birmingham and Westchester. He began his basketball career at Iona Prep and then played 2 seasons at Notre Dame (NCAA). He then played a season at Vanderbilt University (NCAA) and finished with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (NCAA) averaging 15.4ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 87.9%. He spoke to germanmhoops.com before a Eurocup game against German team Frankfurt Skyliners.

Thanks Matt for talking to germanhoops.com. After 4 years in the NBA and G-League, you came overseas last season and this season are playing your first season with Maxima Roma. How hungry are you for a break out season this season after not playing much last season?

Definitely very hungry to prove my capabilities are still extremely high.

You couldn´t have asked for a more beautiful place to play overseas than Rome. What have you enjoyed most about Rome? Is there a favorite place that you have discovered in the first months?

I’m enjoying where I live the most, the neighborhood is incredible. I have my go-to breakfast and dinner spots.

What kind of an experience has Maxima Rome been for you? What have you enjoyed most about this rookie organization?

It’s been great. Everyone is aware we are brand new, but we are all trying to push our organization forward as quickly as possible. The coach empowers everyone to be their best, and all our support staff are doing everything they can to provide us with what we need.

What has been the biggest adjustment for you so far on the court coming from the NBA? Have you noticed that there is overall less space to operate?

No adjustment. Just needed opportunity to play and show who I am over here. Only learning curve is different rules and much different officiating.

You are a player that can fill the stat sheet very well and have a good outside shot. What exactly is your role on the team?

My role is to show up every day and be the best I can be, just like everyone else.

Last season you signed with Dubai and played only 6 games. How tough was this season and what do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

No wake up call. In the pro landscape, everyone gets lied to or misled once in a while. I joined the club being told one thing, and it turned out the opposite. No hard feelings. I enjoyed my time living in Dubai, got better at practice, and look forward to visiting Dubai in the future.

After playing at Iona College Prep, you played 2 seasons at Notre Dame. What do you remember about the NCAA Elite 8 run? How crazy was that time? In a matter of 2,5 weeks, you beat Duke and Michigan, but lost twice to North Carolina.

It was a special time. We had a great team that all loved each other, great coaching, and made memories for a lifetime.

Despite your minutes going from 14 to 7 per game at Notre Dame, how vital was head coach Mike Brey for your early basketball development?

It was great to learn from Coach Brey my first two years of college. We still have a relationship to this day although it didn’t work for us at ND.

You played a season at Vanderbilt University (NCAA) for a season averaging 8.1ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 75.0%. How much fun was that season for being able to get put in best position from guys like Darius Garland and Saben Lee?

Unfortunately we only had Darius for 4 games before his season-ending injury. It was a tough year for a lot of us without Darius, but a great experience playing in the SEC. 10

You played your last NCAA season with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (NCAA) averaging 15.4ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 87.9%. You had some great games against Citadel and Samford. What was your fondest moment there?

My fondest moment was definitely senior night. I had my parents there and we got a big win against UNC-Greensboro.

How did head coach Lamont Paris groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Lamont empowered me to be myself, and that reminded me how good I really was. Without that year, I may not have believed I could play in the NBA.

After college, you couldn’t land a basketball job because of Covid and had odd jobs like DoorDash and UberEats, basketball coach and working in a cemetery. What did you learn about yourself in that year?

I learned just how much I loved basketball. Not being on a team for 17 months but still showing up to the gym every day showed me no matter what, I would pursue my goals through anything.

You played your rookie season with the Grand Rapids Gold (NBA G League) averaging 15.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT-23 (95.2%) and with the Maine Celtics (NBA G League) averaging 21.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 63.5%, 3PT: 45.4%, FT: 66.7%. You also played 1 NBA game with the Celtics. What do you remember being your wake up call to being in a NBA atmosphere?

My first NBA game was in Toronto, and I just remember looking up to see my parents but had trouble finding them because the arena was so big. It was the most amount of people I ever saw in an arena.

You hit a three pointer in your NBA debut against the Grizzlies. What do you remember from your NBA debut? Were you nervous?

I definitely had some nerves when Ime Udoka looked at me to check-in to the game. I missed my first 4 shots before making one, and I became thirsty to make many more shots in the NBA.

In your second pro season you played with the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) playing12 games averaging 3.9ppg, 1.2rpg, and with the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) playing 22 games averaging 3.4ppg, played also at Iowa Wolves (NBA G League) averaging 19.0ppg, 3.9rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 35.4%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 92.3%. You were a few months with the Lakers. Was being a Laker like being a little kid in a candy shop? You saw legends like Lebron, Anthony Davis or Russell Westbrook on a daily basis. Do you have a memorable story about one of them that you will never forget?

It was special being a Laker and around those guys. No specific story, but I made the most of being their teammate and learning from them.

How was the whole experience playing with the Timberwolves? You were teammates with guys like Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. What was your most fondest moment?

Truly a great experience there. I made some really great friends for life.

The next season you played with the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) playing 29 games averaging 5.2ppg, 1.4rpg, FGP: 36.4%, 3PT: 44.6%, FT: 92.9%, and played briefly with the Birmingham Squadron (NBA G League). With the Pelicans you scored in double figures 7 times. Was this the season where you really believed that you belonged in the NBA?

I always knew I belonged because of my shooting ability and confidence. In New Orleans, I was leading the NBA in 3pt shooting before needing an elbow surgery.

You played one more season in the NBA with the New York Knicks (NBA) playing 19 games averaging 1.5ppg, and played also 2 games with the Westchester Knicks (NBA G League). How was the experience with the Knicks? Did you see signs that season that they could be NBA champions a year later?

It was a great experience. I got to play for my hometown team. We all knew there was championship potential. Then the stars aligned and they were able to get it done.

Who are the toughest 3 players that you ever faced in the NBA?

Steph Curry, Kyrie, Irving and Jimmy Butler

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore

LeBron, MJ, Bill Russell, Steph.

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Haven’t seen it.

Thanks Matt for the chat.