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Former UNC Basketball Wing Drains First NBA Preseason Bucket

UNC basketball product Cormac Ryan has seen action in each of the Oklahoma City Thunder's tune-ups to date.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball guard Cormac Ryan
UNC basketball guard Cormac Ryan / Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
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Cormac Ryan played only one minute in the Oklahoma City Thunder's preseason opener on Monday night, a 112-107 road win over the San Antonio Spurs and their pair of UNC basketball talents in Harrison Barnes and Ryan's 2023-24 Tar Heel teammate, Harrison Barnes. In that outing, Ryan went scoreless, missing his only field goal attempt, and contributed one assist.

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On Wednesday night, though, the 6-foot-5, 195-pound rookie wing officially got on the board as an NBA preseason scorer. Ryan, who went undrafted in June following five years in college across stints with Stanford, Notre Dame, and UNC, received only two minutes off the bench in the Thunder's 122-113 home loss to the Houston Rockets but knocked down his lone 3-point attempt.

It's unlikely that Cormac Ryan, just over two weeks from his 26th birthday, will be on the Oklahoma City roster when the team's regular season tips off at the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 24. After all, he's just on an Exhibit 10 deal for training camp and preseason contests.

However, the New York native's short-term contract is a promising sign for his future with the franchise, especially in light of the fact that he was on the squad for NBA 2K25 Summer League play in Las Vegas three months ago. Chances are Ryan will spend his first regular season as a pro suiting up for the Thunder's G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue.

The Thunder's third preseason outing is against the visiting New Zealand Breakers at 8 p.m. ET Thursday (NBA League Pass).

As a graduate full-time starter on a 2023-24 UNC basketball team that captured the ACC regular season crown, Ryan averaged 11.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

ALSO READ: Elite 2025 Tar Heel Target Eliminates Five More Suitors

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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