Matt Ryan admits he is ‘speechless’ after making the Los Angeles Lakers opening night roster – just 18 months after he was working as a food delivery driver and at a CEMETERY to earn some cash
Matt Ryan said he was ‘speechless’ Saturday at making the Lakers’ roster, as the small forward’s winding journey to the NBA reached a new high.
The former Notre Dame, Vanderbilt and Chattanooga player went undrafted in 2020, and failed to earn an invite to the G League Bubble in 2021.
And until Ryan latched onto the Cavaliers’ summer league roster that summer, his life was far from glamorous.
Matt Ryan impressed for the Lakers during the preseason and now has landed on the roster
He detailed this week how while living at home in his native New York, he started fulfilling DoorDash orders to make some money, as well as working at a cemetery.
‘That’s what I was doing during the day, and then I would go the gym for a few hours,’ he told reporters.
That hard work ultimately paid off Saturday as the Lakers decided to keep him for their opening night roster.
Ryan will have a chance to make his Lakers debut vs. the Warriors on Tuesday night
‘Speechless. All I can say is, LETS GO LAKESHOW!! Whether it’s a day, a month, or a year, you’ll get my absolute best every single day,’ he said on Twitter.
‘The real work starts now! Thank you @Lakers for this special opportunity.
Ryan took his chances in the summer league – with Cleveland last summer and the Celtics this year – averaging 19 points per contest for Boston and earning a training camp invite with the Lakers.
The swingman would go on to shoot 37.5 percent from three in the preseason for the purple and gold, convincing the team to make him a part of their main roster.
Ryan did play one game for the Celtics last season, though he was on a two-way deal rather than a standard NBA contract.
His first chance to make his Lakers debut will be against the Warriors on Tuesday.