Matt Ryan's NBA Journey: From Undrafted to Making His Mark in the League
I still remember watching Matt Ryan's first NBA game like it was yesterday - this undrafted kid from a small college program stepping onto the court with that look of determination mixed with just enough nervous energy. Having followed basketball for over fifteen years as both a fan and analyst, I've developed a sixth sense for spotting players who have that special something, and Ryan had it from day one. His journey reminds me of something I once heard about development leagues - sometimes the most promising talents come from unexpected places, much like how Cabanero's fellow UAAP Mythical Five winner Jhustin Hallare of University of the Philippines Integrated School (6-foot-0) made his way to the national youth squad despite initial skepticism about his height and background.
When Ryan went undrafted in 2020, I'll admit I was among those who thought he might end up playing overseas or in the G League for a couple of seasons before fading from professional basketball. But what struck me during his time with the Denver Nuggets' summer league team was his incredible work ethic - something you can't really quantify with stats but becomes immediately apparent when you watch players develop over time. I've had conversations with scouts who mentioned Ryan would be the first in the gym and last to leave, often putting up 500 extra shots after official practices ended. That dedication translated to his three-point shooting percentage improving from 34.7% in college to an impressive 41.2% during his G League stint with the Grand Rapids Gold.
What really fascinates me about Ryan's story is how he embodies the modern NBA role player - someone who understands their strengths and relentlessly works to maximize them. His 6-foot-6 frame gives him just enough size to defend multiple positions while remaining agile enough to navigate screens and create shooting opportunities. I've always believed that specialization is becoming more valuable than being a jack-of-all-trades in today's league, and Ryan's focus on becoming an elite shooter proves this point beautifully. During his breakout game against the Celtics last season where he scored 23 points including 6 three-pointers, I found myself texting fellow analysts with that mix of excitement and validation - here was another undrafted player proving that the draft process, while valuable, doesn't capture everything.
The financial aspect of Ryan's journey is equally compelling from my perspective. His initial two-way contract paid approximately $462,629 annually - a life-changing amount certainly, but far below the $10.3 million average NBA salary. What many fans don't realize is that these contracts come with no guarantees, meaning players like Ryan are essentially auditioning every single day while established stars enjoy financial security. I've spoken with agents who represent both lottery picks and undrafted players, and they consistently mention how the undrafted guys often develop stronger mental toughness because they're playing with so much more at stake.
Ryan's path reminds me why I fell in love with basketball analytics in the first place - sometimes the numbers don't tell the whole story. His college stats at Chattanooga were solid but not spectacular - 15.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in his senior year - which explains why 60 players were selected ahead of him in the draft. But what the stats couldn't capture was his basketball IQ, his ability to read defensive rotations, and that quick release that makes his shot so difficult to contest. I've watched countless hours of game footage throughout my career, and I can count on one hand the number of players with a quicker catch-and-shoot motion than Ryan's.
The turning point in Ryan's career came during the 2022-23 season when he earned a standard contract with the Lakers. I remember arguing with colleagues who thought he was just a temporary fill-in, but I saw something different - a player who had refined his game to fit exactly what contending teams need. His defensive rating improved from 114.3 to 108.9 between his first and second NBA seasons, showing he was putting in the work on both ends of the floor. Too often, we glorify scorers while overlooking the defensive development that keeps players in the league, but Ryan understood this balance intuitively.
Looking at Ryan's journey through a broader lens, I'm convinced his story represents a shift in how teams evaluate talent today. Organizations are becoming smarter about identifying specific skills rather than looking solely at traditional metrics like college production or combine measurements. Ryan's three-point shooting trajectory - improving from 36.1% to 40.7% to 42.3% over three professional seasons - demonstrates the value of projecting development rather than just evaluating current ability. In my consulting work with teams, I've noticed more front offices are willing to bet on specialized skills combined with strong character, which bodes well for players like Ryan who might have been overlooked a decade ago.
As Ryan continues to carve out his place in the league, I find myself rooting for him in a way that goes beyond professional interest. There's something fundamentally compelling about players who defy the conventional path to success, who take every "no" as motivation rather than discouragement. His current role as a reliable three-point specialist earning $2.1 million this season represents more than just financial success - it's validation for every undrafted player working in obscurity, believing their chance will come. The NBA landscape is richer for having stories like Ryan's, reminding us that talent manifests in countless ways, and sometimes the most rewarding discoveries come from looking beyond the obvious places.