Ryan Boatright
{{Short description|American-Armenian basketball player (born 1990)}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Ryan Boatright
| image = Ryan Boatright (cropped).jpg
| caption = Ryan Boatright in 2010
| position = Point guard
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 175
| league = Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto
| team = Brillantes del Zulia
| number =
| nationality = American / Armenian
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|12|27}}
| birth_place = Aurora, Illinois, U.S.
| high_school = East Aurora (Aurora, Illinois)
| college = UConn (2011–2015)
| draft_year = 2015
| career_start = 2015
| years1 = 2015–2016
| team1 = Grand Rapids Drive
| years2 = 2016
| team2 = Orlandina Basket
| years3 = 2016
| team3 = Guangzhou Long-Lions
| years4 = 2016–2017
| team4 = Cedevita
| years5 = 2017–2018
| team5 = Beşiktaş
| years6 = 2018
| team6 = Agua Caliente Clippers
| years7 = 2018–2019
| team7 = Texas Legends
| years8 = 2019
| team8 = Unicaja
| years9 = 2019–2020
| team9 = Cedevita Olimpija
| years10 = 2020
| team10 = BC Avtodor
| years11 = 2020–2021
| team11 = Rytas Vilnius
| years12 = 2021–2022
| team12 = Paris Basketball
| years13 = 2022-2023
| team13 = Avtodor Saratov
| years14 = 2023
| team14 = BC Parma
| years15 = 2023–2024
| team15 = Bnei Herzliya
| years16 = 2024
| team16 = Apollon Patras
| years17 = 2024–2025
| team17 = Shahrdari Gorgan
| years18 = 2025–present
| team18 = Brillantes del Zulia
| highlights =
- Croatian League champion (2017)
- Croatian League Finals MVP (2017)
- Croatian Cup winner (2017)
- NCAA champion (2014)
- First-team All-AAC (2015)
- Illinois Co-Mr. Basketball (2011)
}}
Ryan Jamar Boatright (born December 27, 1992) is an American and naturalized Armenian professional basketball player for Brillantes del Zulia of the Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto. He has also represented the Armenian national basketball team in international competition. He completed his college career at University of Connecticut in 2015. Boatright was a key player for the Huskies' 2013–14 NCAA championship team, as he earned 2014 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team honors.
High school career
Boatright, an Aurora, Illinois native, averaged 31.2 points per game as a senior at East Aurora High School and was named Illinois Co-Mr. Basketball with Chasson Randle.{{cite web |title=Ryan Boatright UConn Huskies bio |url=https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/ryan-boatright/1790 |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=uconnhuskies.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/03/29/mr-basketball-of-illinois-2011-east-auroras-ryan-boatright-rock-islands-chasson-randle-share-honor/|title=Mr. Basketball of Illinois 2011: East Aurora's Ryan Boatright, Rock Island's Chasson Randle share honor|access-date=2014-04-08|date=2011-03-29|work=Chicago Tribune|last=Skrbina |first=Paul}}
As a senior, he scored 63 points in a game against Proviso West, and another outing scoring 55 against St. Charles North.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2010/12/11/boys-basketball-boatright-scores-school-record-63-to-help-east-aurora-top-proviso-west/|title=Boys basketball – Boatright scores school-record 63 to help East Aurora top Proviso West|access-date=2014-04-08|date=2010-12-11|work=Chicago Tribune|last=Helfgot |first=Mike}} Boatright also led the charge in defeating and upsetting the undefeated Benet Academy Redwings in the Sectional Semifinals 60–52. Benet was ranked #1 in the state of Illinois, 7th in the nation with a team that featured Wisconsin-bound Frank Kaminsky. Boatright finished with 29 points and 6 assists. He had originally committed to West Virginia, but changed his mind when the Mountaineers signed another point guard just a day later.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24516960/ryan-boatright-maturity-keys-uconns-defensive-run |title=Ryan Boatright's maturity keys UConn's defensive run|website=CBSSports.com|date=April 6, 2014|access-date=April 6, 2014}} He then went on and decided to commit to the University of Connecticut.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
College career
=Freshman year=
Upon arriving at Connecticut, his eligibility was challenged.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/high-school/post/_/id/2043|title=Boatright's eligibility at UConn questioned|access-date=2014-04-08|date=2011-11-02|publisher=ESPN}} After he missed the first three games, the National Collegiate Athletic Association ruled that he would have to serve an additional three-game suspension to bring his total to six games served due to "receiving improper benefits", consisting of more than $8,000 in cash and other impermissible benefits that he and his mother had received.{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Kevin |date=January 28, 2012 |title=Source: UConn's Boatright reinstated with no penalty |url=https://www.ctpost.com/uconn/article/Source-UConn-s-Boatright-reinstated-with-no-2784970.php |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=Connecticut Post}}{{cite web |date=2011-11-18 |title=UConn's Ryan Boatright suspended |url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/story/_/id/7253089 |access-date=2014-04-08 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} Upon further review, Boatright's suspension was increased to a total of nine games.{{cite web |date=2012-01-29 |title=Ryan Boatright lawyer blasts NCAA |url=https://www.espn.com/chicago/story/_/id/7516194 |access-date=2014-04-08 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} Nonetheless, as a freshman he averaged 10.4 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
=Sophomore year=
Following his return, Boatright along with backcourt teammate Shabazz Napier both rose to the national spotlight as they were highlighted as one of the nation's best backcourts, as they both averaged a combined 33 points and 9 assists per game, outplaying nearly every opponents' backcourt they have played. He kept the momentum up in his sophomore season of 2012–13, raising his scoring average to 15.4. He was named to the USBWA All-District first-team at the conclusion of the season.
=Junior year=
On April 26, 2013, Boatright opted to return to the team for his junior year along with teammates Shabazz Napier and DeAndre Daniels. Boatright played 39 of UConn's 40 games, starting 38 of them, averaging 12.1 points, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals and a career-best 3.5 rebounds. He averaged 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in the Final Four and was named to the All-Final Four team. He was one of four Huskies to average double-digit point totals in the inaugural American Athletic Conference tournament. Boatright scored in double-figures in 27 of 39 games and in all six of UConn's NCAA tournament games. He was second on the team this year with 61 steals, which were the most ever for him in a season.
Boatright's defense was a key factor in the Huskies' drive to the 2014 Final Four. He was named to the 2014 All-Final Four team and UConn won the national championship.{{cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Brian |date=April 6, 2014 |title=Connecticut guard Ryan Boatright's defense stands between Kentucky and a title |url=https://www.si.com/college/2014/04/06/ryan-boatrights-connecticut-kentucky-national-final |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=SI.com}}
=Senior year=
File:Ryan Boatright Chris Chiozza.jpg of Florida in January 2015]]
Upon the preseason of the 2014–15 season, Boatright was named the preseason All-American Athletic Conference player of the year and was selected to the preseason first team. Boatright was a unanimous first-team All-American Athletic Conference team selection in 2015.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
=College statistics=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011–12
| style="text-align:left;"| Connecticut
| 25 || 8 || 30.1 || .421 || .377 || .690 || 3.3 || 4.0 || 1.2 || .2 || 10.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2012–13
| style="text-align:left;"| Connecticut
| 30 || 30 || 36.3 || .429 || .333 || .785 || 2.9 || 4.4 || 1.5 || .1 || 15.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2013–14
| style="text-align:left;"| Connecticut
| 39 || 38 || 32.4 || .391 || .376 || .798 || 3.5 || 3.4 || 1.6 || .2 || 12.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15
| style="text-align:left;"| Connecticut
| 34 || 34 || 35.8 || .423 || .411 || .850 || 4.1 || 3.8 || 1.4 || .2 || 17.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 128 || 110 || 33.8 || .416 || .380 || .794 || 3.5 || 3.8 || 1.4 || .2 || 14.0
|-
{{S-end}}
Professional career
=Grand Rapids Drive (2015–2016)=
After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, Boatright signed with the Brooklyn Nets on July 2 and joined the team for the 2015 NBA Summer League.{{cite web |last=Income |first=Net |date=July 3, 2015 |title=Pincus: Nets sign Ryan Boatright to partially guaranteed deal |url=https://www.netsdaily.com/2015/7/3/8891839/pincus-nets-sign-ryan-boatright-to-partially-guaranteed-deal |access-date=August 7, 2023 |work=NetsDaily.com}} In nine Summer League games for the Nets, Boatright averaged 14.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.{{cite web |title=2015 Summer League Player Profile – Ryan Boatright |url=http://www.nba.com/summerleague/2015/players/sl_ryan_boatright/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705012206/http://www.nba.com/summerleague/2015/players/sl_ryan_boatright |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |work=NBA.com}} On October 20, 2015, he was waived by the Nets after appearing in four preseason games.{{cite web |last=Sapp |first=Demetris |date=October 20, 2015 |title=BROOKLYN NETS WAIVE BOATRIGHT, MILLER AND DANIELS |url=https://www.nba.com/nets/brooklyn-nets-waive-boatright-miller-and-daniels |access-date=October 20, 2015 |work=NBA.com}}
On October 23, he signed with the Detroit Pistons.{{cite web |last=McMann |first=Aaron |date=October 23, 2015 |title=Detroit Pistons sign rookie guard Ryan Boatright |url=https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2015/10/detroit_pistons_sign_guard_rya.html |access-date=August 7, 2023 |work=MLive.com}} He was waived two days later.{{cite web |date=October 25, 2015 |title=Pistons waive Ryan Boatright |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/2015/10/pistons-waive-ryan-boatright |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=InsideHoops.com}}
On October 31, he was acquired by the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Pistons.{{cite news |date=October 31, 2015 |title=Drive Selects Five Players in 2015 NBA D-League Draft |work=OurSportsCentral.com |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/drive-selects-five-players-in-2015-nba-d-league-draft/n-5065523 |access-date=August 7, 2023}} On January 21, 2016, he was waived by the Drive.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/transactions/|title=NBA D-League Transactions|work=NBA.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116055907/http://dleague.nba.com/transactions/|archive-date=January 16, 2016|url-status=dead}}
=Orlandina Basket (2016)=
On January 26, Boatright signed with Orlandina Basket of the Italian Serie A.{{cite news |date=January 26, 2016 |title=Orlandina Basket lands Ryan Boatright |work=Sportando.com |url=http://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/189058/orlandina-basket-lands-ryan-boatright.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129100729/http://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/189058/orlandina-basket-lands-ryan-boatright.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |access-date=January 26, 2016}}
= Guangzhou Long-Lions (2016) =
On July 30, 2016, Boatright signed with Guangzhou Long-Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association.{{cite news|url=http://www.asia-basket.com/China/news/456404/Foshan-signs-Ryan-Boatright,-ex-Betaland-CdO|title=Foshan signs Ryan Boatright, ex Betaland CdO|work=Asia-Basket.com|date=July 30, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2016}}
= Cedevita Zagreb (2016–2017) =
On November 21, 2016, Boatright signed with Cedevita Zagreb of the Croatian League after leaving China.{{cite news |date=November 21, 2016 |title=KK Cedevita signs Ryan Boatright |work=Sportando.com |url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/croatia/218078/kk-cedevita-signs-ryan-boatright.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121233438/http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/croatia/218078/kk-cedevita-signs-ryan-boatright.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 21, 2016 |access-date=November 21, 2016}}
= Beşiktaş (2017–2018) =
On July 21, 2017, Boatright signed a 1+1 deal with Turkish club Beşiktaş.{{cite news |date=July 21, 2017 |title=Besiktas signs Ryan Boatright to a 1+1 deal |work=Sportando.com |url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/turkey/241865/besiktas-signs-ryan-boatright-to-a-1-1-deal.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723052446/http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/turkey/241865/besiktas-signs-ryan-boatright-to-a-1-1-deal.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |access-date=July 21, 2017}}
=Agua Caliente Clippers (2018)=
For the 2018–19 season, Boatwright signed with the Agua Caliente Clippers of the NBA G League.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
= Texas Legends (2018–2019) =
On December 16, 2018, the Texas Legends announced that they had acquired Boatright from the Agua Caliente Clippers.{{cite web |date=December 16, 2018 |title=Legends Acquire Ryan Boatright |url=https://texas.gleague.nba.com/news/legends-acquire-ryan-boatright/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216225711/https://texas.gleague.nba.com/news/legends-acquire-ryan-boatright/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |access-date=December 16, 2018 |work=NBA.com}}
=Unicaja (2019) =
On January 8, 2019, Unicaja announced that they had acquired Boatright.{{cite web |date=December 8, 2019 |title=Ryan Boatright, nueva incorporación del Unicaja |url=http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=145160 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117224026/http://acb.com/redaccion.php?id=145160 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |access-date=January 8, 2019 |work=ACB.com}} On May 27, 2019, he left the team.{{Cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Ryan-Boatright/Summary/24215|title=Ryan Boatright Player Profile, Texas Legends - RealGM|website=basketball.realgm.com}}
= Cedevita Olimpija (2019–2020) =
On July 30, Boatright signed with Cedevita Olimpija of the ABA League.{{cite web |date=July 30, 2019 |title=Ryan Boatright is the new point guard of Cedevita Olimpija |url=https://www.aba-liga.com/news/42128/ryan-boatright-is-the-new-point-guard-of-cedevita-olimpija |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=aba-liga.com}} On January 20, 2020, he left the team.
= BC Avtodor (2020) =
On January 29, 2020, Boatright signed with BC Avtodor of the VTB United League.{{Cite news |last=Carchia |first=Emiliano |date=January 29, 2020 |title=Avtodor Saratov lands Ryan Boatright |language=en |newspaper=Sportando |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/avtodor-saratov-lands-ryan-boatright |access-date=January 30, 2020}} He averaged 16 points per game.
= Rytas Vilnius (2020–2021) =
On November 8, 2020, Boatright signed with BC Rytas of the Lithuanian Basketball League.{{cite news |last=Maggi |first=Alessandro |date=November 8, 2020 |title=Rytas Vilnius officially signs Ryan Boatright |website=Sportando |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/rytas-vilnius-officially-signs-ryan-boatright |access-date=November 8, 2020}} On February 27, 2021, he left the team.
= Paris Basketball (2021–2022) =
On March 1, 2021, Boatright signed with Paris Basketball of the LNB Pro A.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/paris-basketball-announce-ryan-boatright/|title=Paris Basketball announce Ryan Boatright|date=March 1, 2021|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=en|access-date=September 2, 2021|last=Borghesan |first=Ennio Terrasi }}
= Second stint with Avtodor Saratov (2022–2023) =
On August 31, 2022, he has signed with Avtodor Saratov of the VTB United League.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/ryan-boatright-joins-avtodor-saratov/|title=Ryan Boatright joins Avtodor Saratov|date=August 31, 2022|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=en|access-date=September 1, 2022|last=Carchia |first=Emiliano }}
= Bnei Herzliya (2023–2024) =
= Shahrdari Gorgan (2024–2025) =
On September 25, 2024, Boatright signed with Shahrdari Gorgan of the Iranian Basketball Super League.{{cite web |title=Ryan Boatright agreed terms with Gorgan |url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Iran/news/892709/Ryan-Boatright-agreed-terms-with-Gorgan |website=Eurobasket.com |access-date=11 November 2024 |date=25 September 2024}}
= Brillantes del Zulia (2025–present) =
On May 3, 2025, Boatright signed with Brillantes del Zulia of the Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto.{{cite web |title=Brillantes tab Ryan Boatright |url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Armenia/news/931768/SPB-2025-Brillantes-tab-Ryan-Boatright |website=Eurobasket |access-date=May 18, 2025 |date=May 3, 2025}}
National team career
Boatright acquired Armenian nationality by naturalization in order to be eligible to play for the Armenia national team, and to bypass team quotas on American players in European leagues.{{cite news |last1=Armstrong |first1=Rick |title=Well-traveled Ryan Boatright still chasing NBA dream |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2017/06/25/well-traveled-ryan-boatright-still-chasing-nba-dream/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=25 June 2017}}
In 2017, he played for Armenia in Euro pre-qualification Group A for the 2019 FIBA World Cup{{multiref|
{{cite web |title=Armenia surprise in World Cup European Pre-Qualifiers |first=Jeff |last=Taylor |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/news/armenia-surprise-in-world-cup-european-pre-qualifiers |website=FIBA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903114524/https://www.fiba.basketball/news/armenia-surprise-in-world-cup-european-pre-qualifiers |archive-date=3 September 2017 |date=6 August 2017}}|
{{cite news |title=Armenia Beats Slovakia and Sweden in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Pre-Qualifiers |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2017/08/07/armenia-beats-slovakia-and-sweden-in-fiba-basketball-world-cup-2019-european-pre-qualifiers/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |work=The Armenian Weekly |date=7 August 2017}}
}} and the first two games of pre-qualification Group B of EuroBasket 2022 (then called EuroBasket 2021).{{multiref|
{{cite web |title=First Round Group B Albania 63 - 80 Armenia |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2022/pre-qualifiers/game/2311/Albania-Armenia#tab=overview |website=FIBA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012074449/https://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2022/pre-qualifiers/game/2311/Albania-Armenia#tab=overview |archive-date=12 October 2023}}
{{cite web |title=Boatright's heroics not enough for Armenia, Denmark win it in overtime |url=http://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2021/pre-qualifiers/news/boatright-s-heroics-not-enough-for-armenia-denmark-win-it-in-overtime |website=FIBA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231192224/http://www.fiba.basketball/eurobasket/2021/pre-qualifiers/news/boatright-s-heroics-not-enough-for-armenia-denmark-win-it-in-overtime |date=26 December 2017 |archive-date=31 December 2017}}
}} He left the team in February 2018, with coach Nikša Bavčević saying he had demanded special treatment.{{multiref|
{{cite web |title=Ryan Boatright leaves Armenian basketball team |url=https://www.tert.am/en/news/2018/02/23/Boatright/2622175 |website=Tert.am |date=23 February 2018}}|
{{cite web |title=Ahead of EuroBasket qualifier with Albania: Armenia respects the rival but is unafraid |url=https://sport.mediamax.am/en/news/other/27326 |website=mediamax.am |date=23 February 2018}}
}}
Personal life
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/ryan-boatright/1790 UConn Huskies bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503171250/http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/ryan_boatright_762374.html |date=2017-05-03 }}
{{2014 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boatright, Ryan}}
Category:Agua Caliente Clippers players
Category:American expatriate basketball people in China
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Croatia
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Category:American expatriate basketball people in Spain
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Turkey
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Apollon Patras B.C. players
Category:Baloncesto Málaga players
Category:Beşiktaş men's basketball players
Category:Bnei Herzliya basketball players
Category:Grand Rapids Drive players
Category:Guangzhou Loong Lions players
Category:KK Cedevita Olimpija players
Category:Naturalised basketball players
Category:Orlandina Basket players
Category:Paris Basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Aurora, Illinois
Category:Texas Legends players
Category:UConn Huskies men's basketball players