Matt Ryan Shares Emotions of Knicks Debut

New York Knicks forward Matt Ryan played his first game with his hometown team.

Jeremy Brener | Nov 10, 2024

Apr 5, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Matt Ryan (37) warms up against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

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New York Knicks

The newest member of the New York Knicks, Matt Ryan, was able to make his team debut in the team's latest win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Ryan, a White Plains, N.Y. native, signed with the Knicks earlier this month to ensure that the team would reach its 14-man roster minimum.

With the Knicks up big against the Bucks, Ryan checked into the game in the fourth quarter and knocked down his first 3-point shot for his hometown team. After the game, Ryan spoke to reporters about his first experience on the floor with the team he grew up watching.

“I always said if I could choose to play for one team, it would be here," Ryan said h/t Posting and Toasting. "I’m from here, so it’s definitely special. It’s unique, it’s a blessing, and I’m very lucky.”

Ryan's family was in attendance for his debut, but his dad, who passed away last year, wasn't able to attend.

"lt’ll be a fun night," Ryan said. "I wish my dad could be here, but he’ll be watching from up above. Nobody’s happier that I’m home than my mom. She’s been to everything. My parents drove me to everything all over the place. My mom hasn’t missed a first game of mine anywhere, not in college or the NBA.”

Ryan has been a journeyman throughout his career so far in the NBA, but there's something special about returning home. The Knicks hope that some home cooking could elongate his career and that the team could get more out of him than they would if he were in another city.

Ryan may not play much this season, but as the year goes along, having a guy like him for depth purposes could come in handy when injuries begin to pile up.

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Published Nov 10, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.