Matt Ryan Bio
Matthew Richard Ryan (born April 17, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for Dubai Basketball of the ABA League and the EuroLeague. Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and playing primarily as a guard-forward, Ryan has built a long professional career through persistence across the NBA, the NBA G League, and now top international competition. He attended Iona Preparatory School before a college career that took him through Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and Chattanooga. He went undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft.
Ryan is widely recognized for his shooting touch and perseverance after years of two-way contracts, training-camp invitations, and overseas opportunities. He has represented organizations including the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New Orleans Pelicans at the NBA level, while also playing in the G League for the Grand Rapids Gold, Maine Celtics, Iowa Wolves, Birmingham Squadron, and Westchester Knicks.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Richard Ryan was born on April 17, 1997, in Valhalla, New York, USA. He is the son of Richard Ryan and Laurie Ryan and has two siblings, Mikela and Michael. Growing up in Westchester County, he developed his basketball skills in local programs before attending Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle.
At Iona Prep, Ryan led the Gaels to a 22–6 record en route to the program’s first Class AA Archdiocesan Championship. As a senior, he averaged 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists per game. He was also named Mr. New York Basketball in 2015 and earned first-team Parade All-American honors that same year, cementing his status as one of the top prospects in the state.
Path to Professional Basketball
Ryan began his college career at Notre Dame, where he played sparingly before transferring to Vanderbilt after his sophomore season. As a junior with the Commodores, he averaged 8.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, showing flashes of scoring ability from the perimeter. He then transferred to Chattanooga for his senior year, where he produced his best collegiate season.
At Chattanooga, Ryan played 33 games and averaged 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, earning Second-team All-SoCon honors in 2020. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics at Vanderbilt and worked on his MBA at Chattanooga before declaring for the NBA draft.
Matt Ryan Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Ryan went undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, and his early prospects were limited by the COVID-19 pandemic. He did not land a spot in the G League’s bubble during the 2020–21 season, prompting him to take unusual side jobs to make ends meet. He worked for DoorDash and UberEats, coached a grassroots basketball team, and also worked at a cemetery in Yonkers, New York.
His perseverance paid off in the summer of 2021, when he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2021 NBA Summer League and spent preseason with the Denver Nuggets. He subsequently joined the Grand Rapids Gold of the G League for the 2021–22 season, where he averaged 15.8 points across 28 games, reestablishing himself as a scoring threat.
Boston Celtics and Grand Rapids Gold (2021–2022)
On February 28, 2022, Ryan signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. He was assigned to the Maine Red Claws, where he averaged 20.4 points across 14 games to finish the 2021–22 NBA G League season in strong form. He made his first and only appearance for the Celtics on April 10, 2022, against the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring three points in five minutes of action.
The Celtics went on to reach the 2022 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games. Ryan rejoined the Celtics for the 2022 NBA Summer League, continuing his development within one of the league’s most respected organizations before moving on to his next opportunity.
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, an impressive achievement for an undrafted player. On November 2, 2022, he hit a corner three-pointer to tie the game at the regulation buzzer against the New Orleans Pelicans, with the Lakers going on to win 120–117 in overtime. He finished the game with 11 points. The Lakers waived Ryan on December 1, 2022.
Minnesota Timberwolves and Iowa Wolves (2022–2023)
On December 8, 2022, Ryan signed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, working primarily with the Iowa Wolves. He re-signed with the Timberwolves on another two-way contract on September 28, 2023, but was waived on October 20, 2023, as the team finalized its regular-season roster.
New Orleans Pelicans and Birmingham Squadron (2023–2024)
On October 22, 2023, Ryan was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Pelicans and subsequently signed to a two-way contract. On November 2, he earned his first NBA start against the Detroit Pistons, and on April 13, 2024, he signed a standard contract with the Pelicans after a steady season of contributions. He was waived by the Pelicans on August 24, re-signed three days later, and was 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 and was assigned several times to Westchester during the season. He was waived by New York on December 22, signed a two-way contract two days later, and was waived again on March 2, 2025. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Knicks on September 16, 2025, before being waived on October 18, 2025.
Dubai Basketball Era (2025–Present)
On November 8, 2025, Ryan signed with Dubai Basketball of the ABA League and the EuroLeague, marking a major step in his professional career. The move gave him the opportunity to compete in two of Europe’s top club competitions. The signing came after he cleared NBA waivers and represented a fresh start abroad following years of bouncing between NBA and G League rosters.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ryan is best known as a skilled perimeter shooter with the size to play multiple positions. His 6-foot-7 frame, smooth release, and ability to stretch the floor have made him a useful three-point threat at every level. He has consistently shown the ability to score efficiently from beyond the arc while also contributing on the boards and as a secondary passer.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of his career, Ryan’s buzzer-beating three-pointer for the Los Angeles Lakers against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 2, 2022, stands out. He was also a member of the 2022 Boston Celtics team that reached the NBA Finals, and he earned the honor of being selected first overall in the 2024 NBA G League draft by the Westchester Knicks.
Matt Ryan Career Wins
Matt Ryan has not accumulated major championship titles at the professional level, but he has posted several strong statistical seasons across multiple organizations. His scoring averages in the G League have consistently placed him among the top performers at that level, while his NBA appearances include meaningful contributions for the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New Orleans Pelicans.
NBA G League Highlights
Ryan averaged 20.4 points in 14 games for the Maine Red Claws to finish the 2021–22 NBA G League season. He then averaged 15.8 points in 28 games for the Grand Rapids Gold during the same campaign. In 2024, he was selected first overall in the NBA G League draft by the Westchester Knicks, a notable recognition of his scoring consistency and professional resume.
Other Wins and Performances
At the high school level, Ryan led Iona Prep to the program’s first Class AA Archdiocesan Championship and was named Mr. New York Basketball in 2015. He also earned first-team Parade All-American honors that year. In college, he was a Second-team All-SoCon selection in 2020 following a strong senior season at Chattanooga.
Matt Ryan Family
Family Background and Siblings
Matt Ryan is the son of Richard Ryan and Laurie Ryan. He has two siblings, Mikela and Michael, and grew up in Valhalla, New York, in the lower Hudson Valley. His family provided support as he navigated the uncertainty of an undrafted professional career that included odd jobs and repeated stints between the NBA and G League.
Personal Life
Ryan has balanced his basketball career with strong academic achievements, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt and pursuing an MBA at Chattanooga. He has remained connected to the New York area throughout his career, even while playing for teams in other cities, and continues to share updates with fans through his verified Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
Matt Ryan’s 2025 season has been defined by constant movement between organizations. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the New York Knicks on September 16, 2025, but was waived on October 18, 2025, before the regular season began. Days later, on November 8, 2025, he signed with Dubai Basketball of the ABA League and the EuroLeague, signaling a new international chapter.
With Dubai Basketball, Ryan joined a competitive roster competing in two of Europe’s most demanding club competitions. The move offered him the chance to secure a more stable role after several years of short-term NBA and G League contracts. His shooting skill set and positional versatility positioned him as a likely contributor in both domestic and continental play.
Looking ahead, Ryan’s tenure at Dubai Basketball represents an opportunity to expand his game in a new basketball culture while competing against elite European talent. The 2025–26 campaign allows him to build a clearer identity as a pro abroad after years of grinding for NBA opportunities, and his shooting consistency will be central to his impact for the club.