All Tar Heels

Another Pro Opportunity for UNC Basketball Rival-Silencer

Recent UNC basketball product Cormac Ryan has found favor in Oklahoma City.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball guard Cormac Ryan
UNC basketball guard Cormac Ryan / Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images
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Following a five-year college career capped off by one season in Chapel Hill as a full-time UNC basketball starter, Cormac Ryan did not hear his name at the 2024 NBA Draft. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old wing from New York landed a spot on the Oklahoma City Thunder's Summer League roster.

ALSO READ: UNC Alum Harrison Barnes Checks In From First Media Day in NBA

And his performances in Las Vegas led to the Exhibit 10 deal that became official over the weekend. Ryan is joining the Thunder for training camp, looking to impress OKC brass, potentially to the tune of regular season opportunities with the team down the road.

While the training camp contract is a promising sign in the beginning stage of Ryan's professional pursuits, chances are he spends all or most of the 2024-25 season playing for the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League.

As a UNC basketball graduate bucket-getter last season, Cormac Ryan averaged 11.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. He shot 38.2 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from downtown, and 87.4 percent at the line for a Tar Heel squad that finished atop the ACC standings and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Ryan, who spent three seasons at Notre Dame following a freshman year at Stanford, cemented his place in UNC basketball lore by shooting 6-for-8 beyond the arc and 9-for-10 at the charity stripe en route to 31 points in the Tar Heels' 84-79 road win in Cameron Indoor Stadium to silence the Cameron Crazies and complete their season sweep of archrival Duke.

ALSO READ: Stock-Rising Prospect Drops UNC From Finalists

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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