The Milwaukee Bucks suddenly have a tradition of finding hidden gems on two-way contracts, and it didn't take Cormac Ryan, a Wisconsin Herd alum, long to cement himself as next up. He's only been in Milwaukee for a few weeks, but with the team limping to the finish line, injuries have forced the wing into a prominent role, and he's turning heads. Ryan looks like he could be in town for a while.
Cormac Ryan might be the Bucks' latest hidden gem find
After totaling 19 minutes in his first three games, Ryan's importance has skyrocketed in Milwaukee's last two games.
In 20 minutes against the LA Clippers, Ryan poured in 13 points and a steal on 4-of-6 shooting, which included hitting three 3-pointers. Despite it being his first legitimate opportunity with the Bucks, Ryan oozed confidence as he made shots and played solid defense. Perhaps it was that showing that gave him the confidence to go even further beyond in the following game.
Against the Houston Rockets, the Bucks were already down to eight available players, but an injury to Gary Trent Jr. cut the number down to seven. Ryan was among that bunch, and Doc Rivers leaned on him heavily. In 38 minutes, the wing poured in 25 points, four assists, and a steal, shooting 9-of-14 on his field goals, which included four triples. Talk about confidence.
Sure, two games aren't a massive sample size, but it's hard to contain any excitement about what he's put on tape. Rather than show rookie jitters, Ryan has hit the ground running and is making a case to stick in Milwaukee's plans moving forward.
Cormac Ryan worked for this NBA opportunity
Prior to earning this two-way opportunity with the Milwaukee Bucks, Ryan was spending his season in Oshkosh with the Wisconsin Herd, a G League affiliate. Day in and day out, he kept his head down and worked, putting together too many impressive performances to count. When a spot opened up, the Bucks rewarded their G League standout, and he is vindicating their choice.
Ryan looks like the latest two-way success in Milwaukee. In recent years, AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, and Pete Nance have all made the leap from two-way to standard contracts, and Ryan could very well be next in line if he keeps this up. The final six games of the regular season will be some of the most important basketball Ryan has ever been on the floor for as he looks to cement his long-term future.
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