Ryan Daly’s recent announcement of entering his name into this years NBA Draft Process is not a shock to those who follow the Hawk Hill superstar. Daly, who averaged an A-10 leading 20.6 ppg, which ousted NCAA Player of the Year, and potential lottery pick Obi Toppin who averaged 20 ppg, has always had a natural ability to put the ball in the basketball. The Havertown native scored 619 points this season in 30 games. This was 2 points less than Toppin who played one more game than Daly.

However, despite the spotlight being bright now, it wasn’t always this way for Ryan Daly.

In an interview with Daly on Thursday, he opened up about how his greatest strength is his competitive nature, something that has driven him since high school.

I was the last kid in the Class of 2016 to make a commitment, which I made in late May. I wasn’t getting flooded with scholarship offers and after things with Hartford University didn’t work out I just leaned on my competitive drive to get me through the ups and downs of becoming a college basketball player. It’s been a crazy journey so far, but being confident in my game and work ethic has made every new transition a smooth one

Daly on overcoming challenges through his career.

After scoring over 1,600 points and securing 630 rebounds during his 3 year college career, Daly looks to bring his hard hat and lunch pale style, and look to the next level. Despite leading the A-10 in scoring this year, and averaging around 7 rebounds per game throughout his 3 years, he is not as sought after as his conference counterpart Toppin. Daly is in the range of a late 2nd round pick or a potential 2 way contract. For a player whose looks resemble that of a linebacker or construction worker instead of an NBA point guard, this is an opportunity he would relish and capitalize on.

I hear when announcers say that I look like a linebacker and that I have football players frame, and that’s alright, I know I look like a Philadelphia construction worker and aren’t the most athletic guy in the world, but that’s just another obstacle that I’m tackling in this process. My two main areas of work are going to be my three point shot and I’m gonna get leaner, which will help with some of the more athletic demands that will come at the next level if I get the opportunity. I know if those two things come to fruition then I’ll definitely be a player an NBA franchise would want on their team.

Daly on his frame and goals moving forward

Although Daly has been the star of his teams the past few years, Daly knows his role will change. According to former high school teammate, long time friend and current Moravian College forward, John Rigsby, Daly can adjust to any role given to him. Whether it be the primary ball handler or a secondary player willing to do the little things to help his team.

During our junior year Ryan played a supporting role to current Miami Heat member Derrick Jones along with a plethora of other D-1 bound seniors, but once he became a senior we all saw what kind of leader he can be on and off the hardwood. Whether he was our senior leader and MVP of the PCL, or the underclassmen pulling his weight in a supporting cast role, Ryan has always exuded confidence on the court.

Former teammate John Rigsby on Daly’s ability to adjust in various roles.

Despite the optimism of the bright lights of professional basketball ahead for Daly, he also has another year of eligibility at Saint Joe’s. With the help of his family, especially his father, Brian, who also played for Hawks, Daly knows that making the right decision is more important than rushing into the excitement of pro basketball.

I love playing at Hawk Hill so I’m not in a rush to get out of school unless it’s the best choice for me. I’ll take it day-by-day and see what feedback I get, and when it comes time to make my decision I know I’ll have all the information and support of my family, coaches, and friends to make the right choice

Daly on the potential of returning to Saint Joe’s

Ryan Daly brings a competitive engine comparable to one of a Ferrari, an NFL linebackers frame, but more importantly an NBA point guards ability to lead and get buckets in the basket. I see Daly as a more skilled, tougher, and definitely a better locker room guy and teammate version of Justin Anderson; a skilled spark plug who doesn’t need to be told his job, he just does it. From the last man to commit to a D-1 program in 2016 after trials and tribulations, to a player who could be one of the last players to be drafted in 2020, Daly will be a player to watch regardless of what his process outcome will be.

Barnes
Latest posts by Barnes (see all)