Matthew Richard Ryan Bio
Matthew Richard Ryan (born April 17, 1997) is an American professional basketball player currently playing for Dubai Basketball of the ABA League and the EuroLeague. The 6-foot-7 small forward went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft but has built a steady professional career through persistence and adaptability. Ryan played college basketball for three programs, culminating with a standout senior season at Chattanooga that earned him Second-team All-SoCon honors. His journey from college prospect to NBA player to international professional demonstrates his resilience in a competitive industry.
Early Life and Background
Ryan was born in Valhalla, New York, and attended Iona Preparatory School in nearby New Rochelle. During his senior year at Iona Prep, he led the Gaels to a 22-6 record and the program’s first Class AA Archdiocesan Championship. He averaged 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists per game that season. His exceptional performance earned him the title of Mr. New York Basketball in 2015. He was also named a First-team Parade All-American, solidifying his status as one of the top high school players in the country that year.
College Career
Ryan began his collegiate career at Notre Dame, where he appeared in limited games during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He transferred to Vanderbilt for his junior year, averaging 8.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. Following the season, he transferred once more to join Chattanooga for his senior season. At Chattanooga, Ryan had his most productive college year, playing 33 games while averaging 15.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 30.6 minutes per game. He shot 42.3 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from three-point range, and 87.9 percent from the free-throw line. His strong senior season earned him Second-team All-SoCon recognition in 2020. Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt and pursued an MBA at Chattanooga.
Path to Professional Basketball
Despite his successful senior season, Ryan went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft. His prospects were limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, and he did not secure a spot in the G League bubble that season. During this challenging period, he worked for DoorDash and UberEats while coaching a grassroots basketball team. He also held a job at a cemetery in Yonkers, New York. The experience tested his commitment to basketball, but he continued pursuing his professional dreams. He eventually joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2021 NBA Summer League and spent preseason with the Denver Nuggets before signing with Grand Rapids Gold for the 2021-22 G League season.
Matthew Richard Ryan Career
Grand Rapids Gold (2021-2022)
Ryan joined the Grand Rapids Gold for the 2021-22 season following his summer league and preseason experiences. He averaged 15.8 points in 28 games for the G League team, demonstrating his ability to score at that level. His performance caught attention and opened doors to NBA opportunities. This season served as a crucial stepping stone in his professional development, showcasing his scoring ability and three-point shooting that would define his role throughout his career.
Boston Celtics (2022)
On February 28, 2022, Ryan signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. He averaged 20.4 points in 14 games for the Maine Red Claws to finish the 2021-22 G League season. Ryan made his only NBA appearance for the Celtics on April 10, 2022, against the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring three points in five minutes. The Celtics reached the 2022 NBA Finals that season, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games. Ryan joined the Celtics for the 2022 NBA Summer League following the conclusion of their Finals run.
Los Angeles Lakers (2022)
On September 26, 2022, Ryan signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. He made 37.5 percent of his three-pointers during the preseason and earned the final spot on the team’s 15-man roster out of training camp. On November 2, 2022, he made a memorable impact when he hit a corner three-pointer to tie the game at the regulation buzzer against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers went on to win 120-117 in overtime. Ryan had struggled early in the game, missing six of his first seven three-point attempts, but came through when it mattered most and finished with 11 points. He was waived by the Lakers on December 1, 2022.
Minnesota Timberwolves (2022-2023)
On December 8, 2022, Ryan signed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. On September 28, 2023, he re-signed with the Timberwolves on another two-way contract but was waived on October 20, 2023, before the regular season began. His time with Minnesota provided additional NBA experience and development opportunities.
New Orleans Pelicans (2023-2024)
On October 22, 2023, Ryan was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Pelicans and signed to a two-way contract. On November 2, 2023, he recorded his first NBA start against the Detroit Pistons. On April 13, 2024, he signed a standard contract with the Pelicans, marking a significant milestone in his career. He was waived by the Pelicans on August 24, 2024, but was re-signed three days later before being waived again on October 11, 2024.
New York Knicks and Westchester Knicks (2024-2025)
On October 26, 2024, Ryan joined the Westchester Knicks after being selected first overall in the 2024 NBA G League draft. On November 4, 2024, he signed with the New York Knicks. Throughout the season, he was assigned several times to Westchester. On December 22, 2024, he was waived by the Knicks, but two days later he signed a two-way contract with the team. On March 2, 2025, the Knicks waived Ryan. On September 16, 2025, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Knicks and was waived prior to the start of the regular season on October 18, 2025.
Dubai Basketball (2025-Present)
On November 8, 2025, Ryan signed with Dubai Basketball of the ABA League and the EuroLeague. This move marked his transition to international basketball, joining one of the more prominent clubs in European competition. The EuroLeague represents a significant step up in competition level, testing his skills against top European talent and former NBA players.
Matthew Richard Ryan Career Wins
Ryan’s professional career has been characterized by consistent G League production and limited but meaningful NBA appearances. His most notable NBA moment came with the Lakers in November 2022 when his buzzer-beating three-pointer forced overtime against the Pelicans, contributing to a comeback victory. In the G League, he has demonstrated reliable scoring ability, including a 15.8 points per game average at Grand Rapids and 20.4 points per game at Maine during the 2021-22 season. Being selected first overall in the 2024 G League draft highlighted his standing among developing players.
Notable Achievements
Ryan earned recognition throughout his basketball journey. In high school, he won Mr. New York Basketball and earned First-team Parade All-American honors in 2015. At the college level, he earned Second-team All-SoCon recognition in 2020 following his standout senior season at Chattanooga. His selection first overall in the 2024 G League draft represented a significant professional milestone. While NBA championship contention remained beyond reach, he gained valuable experience being part of a Celtics team that reached the 2022 NBA Finals during his brief tenure.
Matthew Richard Ryan Family
Family Background
Ryan is the son of Richard Ryan and Laurie Ryan. He has two siblings, a sister named Mikela and a brother named Michael. His family has supported his basketball career throughout his journey from high school through his professional career. No family members pursued professional basketball, making his path entirely his own achievement.
Personal Life
Ryan completed his undergraduate degree in economics at Vanderbilt University. While pursuing his MBA at Chattanooga, he continued developing his basketball skills. His willingness to work various jobs, including delivery services and coaching, during the challenging period after the 2020 Draft demonstrated his character and dedication to his basketball dreams.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transition year for Ryan as he adjusted to international basketball with Dubai Basketball. Joining the ABA League and EuroLeague required adaptation to different styles of play and competition levels found in European basketball. His three-point shooting ability and defensive versatility remained valuable assets in this new environment. The 2025-26 season offers Ryan an opportunity to establish himself as a more prominent contributor with Dubai Basketball. With a full offseason to train and adapt to his new surroundings, increased playing time appears likely as he looks to build momentum and potentially attract attention from other clubs across European competitions.