Celtics Shot-Maker Matt Ryan, the One NBA Summer League Player Everyone Is Rooting For

After Matt Ryan's emotional explanation of his basketball journey went viral, the hoopla surrounding the video has died down. But the dream of sticking in the NBA is very much alive and well.

LAS VEGAS – Matt Ryan came into this year’s summer league with the Boston Celtics hoping to make a name for himself.

But this was not what he had in mind.

Following Ryan’s off-balance, game-winning shot earlier this week, I asked him soon afterward about the shot and the amazing journey he has had to take to get here, and for all that to bring him to that moment, a game-winning shot…what all that meant to him and felt like right now.

Ryan became visibly emotional about it all, as he began to describe to those unfamiliar with his story, how he was delivering DoorDash a year ago to now delivering game-winning shots for the Boston Celtics.

The video of Ryan’s comments soon went viral.

“I didn’t expect that,” Ryan told me following the Celtics’ practice on Friday. “You got me emotional thinking about all I had been through at this point. I know I’m still getting started too, but to reflect on how far I’ve come…”

Whether it was walking around the team hotel or walking around the basketball courts, Ryan has been besieged by folks either inspired by his words or offering encouraging words of their own as he continues to add chapters to his basketball narrative that’s far from over.

“It’s been all love,” he said. “It really has been. It has been much appreciated. It feels really good to have people that I have never met who I don’t know, that are representing other teams here and coming up to me saying, ‘you’re gonna do great. I wish you all the best. You’re an inspiration. Keep doing what you’re doing.’ All those things…it really means a lot.”

And for those who were wondering, yes, Ryan’s camp has had talks with DoorDash.

Ryan said the communication between DoorDash and his representatives began during the NBA Finals.

Lining up future endorsement deals is certainly something Ryan is interested in.

But more than that, he’s focused on doing his part to ensure he is on an NBA roster this upcoming season.

Even before Ryan talking about his journey went viral, he had been a player during summer league that had already caught the eye of scouts.

“Love the kid, especially his confidence,” texted one scout. “He’s gonna be on somebody’s roster next year.”

While Ryan’s long-range shooting is what teams covet about his game, that shooting comes with Teflon-strong confidence that’s never shaken or stirred.

“The belief that I could play at this level was unwavering,” Ryan said. “No matter what was happening, I always believed I could play at this level.”

Celtics summer league coach Ben Sullivan added, “Matt’s got great confidence, great fundamentals; quick release, puts a lot of pressure on the defense from the outside. He’s done really well.”

Part of that confidence comes from the fact that the former Parade Magazine Prep All-American (current Celtic Jaylen Brown was named to the same All-American team that year) has competed with and against other prep standouts now in the NBA.

“Donovan Mitchell; Eric Paschall; Ty Jerome, these are guys I grew up with, played AAU ball with,” Ryan said. “I have a lot of friends in the NBA and I know I can play with them. That gives me the confidence that I’m just as good as a lot of these guys in the NBA.”

Now it’s just a matter of Ryan doing what he has done time and time again during his basketball odyssey which is making the most of opportunities that come his way.

“Hopefully a great opportunity presents itself in the next few weeks,” he said. “I join a team, come into training camp and earn my keep just like everyone else has to do.”

And remind folks that his journey, while inspiring, is nowhere close to coming to an end anytime soon.

Ryan said a lot of the social media buzz surrounding the video earlier this week has died down.

“Hopefully people will forget about it, until the next shot,” he quipped.