By Pat Welter

Select a photo, or better yet a moment of celebration, and you will have the iconic image of Cormac Ryan’s exceptional performance in a 84-79 victory against Duke.

“I informed everyone that he was mentally unstable and psychotic,” Armando Bacot stated during a post-game interview session that resembled a professional wrestling promo. “Having a person with such psychosis leads to moments like this, which we enjoy.”

Ryan scored 31 points versus Duke, the most by a Tar Heel versus the Blue Devils since Antawn Jamison’s 35 in 1998. It was the most by a Tar Heel at Cameron Indoor Stadium since Hubert Davis’ 35 in 1992.

Davis remarked after the game, “His talent for making shots is significant, but his experience is equally valuable. It’s crucial to have a player who has previously been on this stage, even if it was with a different team. He knows what it takes to succeed here.”

Ryan moved to Carolina this year after playing four seasons at Notre Dame. During one of those seasons, he was a redshirt while he took a break from playing in the 2019-20 season after transferring from Stanford. As a six-year player, Ryan has experienced a lot, including the pandemic and the introduction of new transfer rules and NIL.

“It’s been quite a wild ride,” Ryan spoke as we sat down together at a deserted Smith Center during a Carolina practice in February. “I could never have predicted that this is how things would turn out, but I’m thankful for every experience.”

Ryan’s fiery temperament and impressive performance towards the end of the season are reminiscent of successful transfer, Brady Manek, during the Hubert Davis era. In the six games leading up to the 2022 National Championship, Manek scored at least thirteen points in every game and had a standout performance of 28 points against Marquette in the opening round and 26 points against No. 1 seed Baylor. Manek’s drive and ability to lead were greatly missed last season, but Davis has discovered similar qualities in Ryan this year.

During a press conference in February, Hubert Davis mentioned Ryan’s intangibles and how he remains focused during shoot arounds, practices, and games. Davis praised Ryan’s energy, effort, attention to detail, and enthusiasm.

During my time at Carolina, I expressed gratitude for the more experienced players who guided me and showed me the ropes,” stated Davis. “Having their mentorship and guidance on how to position oneself for success was invaluable. I am appreciative that our younger players have Cormac as a resource.”

An instance of Davis’s concept is evident in the fact that Ryan has been traveling with Elliot Cadeau, a freshman, as his roommate.

Ryan expressed his admiration for Elliot and the great impact he has had on the team. Despite being a college student, Ryan still holds onto his youthful spirit and sees being on the team as a chance to bond and have fun with his teammates like family.

The experienced members of Carolina’s team express gratitude towards Ryan for being a senior member on the roster, even if it’s just for the sake of having someone older than them.

According to Bacot, who is 24 years old, “He may seem older than his age.” Ryan, who is 25, is only slightly older. “However, he also engages in childish behavior. It’s amusing to watch him and Elliot playfully tease each other.”

Although Ryan has attended several esteemed schools, inheriting the family legacy was never guaranteed. His mother, Rosemary, was a soccer player at Yale, while his father Mike and brother Thomas both played basketball at Yale as well.

Rosemary Ryan expressed her enthusiasm for Cormac’s time at UNC by saying, “It has truly been a magical experience, and I don’t use that term lightly. Being here feels like being in basketball paradise, and since our first visit, we have been welcomed with open arms by the tight-knit community they call a family.”

One of five Ryan siblings, Cormac grew up in the SoHo and Greenwich Village area of Manhattan in New York City. He’s enjoying basketball heaven, but he’s from the Mecca.

Cormac mentioned that the origins of basketball in New York City go back a long time and have a strong presence. He explained that they grew up participating in park leagues and competing in various neighborhoods such as the Bronx, Harlem, and Brooklyn. They learned from coaches and players who were also raised in the city and had a true understanding of the game. Cormac considers himself lucky to have gained a deep understanding of competitive basketball.

Rosemary shared that our local church, St. Anthony’s, had a school connected to it featuring a gym area. Father Joe, the pastor, kindly provided us with a gym key. Therefore, each evening after dinner, Mike would bring his brother Thomas, Owen, our daughter Summer, and primarily Cormac to practice basketball.

Mike Ryan stated that the most valued belonging in his family was likely the key to the St. Anthony’s gym. He also shared that they would regularly visit the gym after dark and play basketball until early morning.

Ryan has been groomed to perform on a grand platform, and he has certainly lived up to expectations in his college journey. During his time at Notre Dame, he netted 28 points in a victorious game at the famous Cameron Indoor Stadium. He also achieved his career peak of 29 points in a triumph over Alabama during his sole appearance in the NCAA tournament. This feat included a record-breaking seven three-pointers for Notre Dame in the tournament. As he now proudly dons Carolina blue, Ryan is eagerly anticipating his return to the same setting.

Cormac expressed that the NCAA tournament has a unique atmosphere. He shared his excitement about getting the opportunity to compete alongside his team at Carolina. Winning a national championship and participating in the NCAA tournament were important reasons for his decision to attend Carolina. He believes that this team is the perfect group to achieve these goals with, and they are all eagerly anticipating the tournament.

Source: wralsportsfan.com