Dobson High School's Ryan Richardson is a 6-foot-4, 170-pound junior shooting guard prospect, and a member of Arizona's loaded 2014 class. In my personal opinion, Ryan is the 2nd best-unsigned shooting guard in the entire state - regardless of class. He is an elite shooter with 3-point range and loves the mid-range shot. He is a long defender with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, which allows him to get many steals. Once his body fills out, he will be scary good.
Here is a conversation he had with Arizona Preps (AP) ...
AP: Tell me about your family.
Ryan: My family is real close, a real tight family. I live with my Mom, Dad and my sister. My brother is at U of A right now studying theatre and the arts. We are one of those families that if we are in the car on a road trip, we like to talk to each other or sing, not go to sleep and ignore each other.
AP: Why did you start playing basketball?
Ryan: I always played basketball, and my Dad played college basketball at the age of 28 when I was growing up. Both of my uncles were playing the same time as my Dad. My uncles went overseas to play professionally. Dante Richardson played 7 years overseas in places like Hungary and Sweden. The other uncle played in Switzerland. I always had a rivalry against them. My uncles were about 6-2 and my Dad is 6-3.
AP: When was your 1st dunk?
Ryan: Freshman year - last week of the Perry HS season on the freshman team. I just rose up and dunked it. I never got that high before.
AP: When was the first time you knew you were good?
Ryan: When I beat my Dad I knew I was good. It was my freshman year in HS.
AP: What weakness do you want to improve before you actually go into college?
Ryan: I want to improve my speed and strength. My overall athletic ability. I just don’t think it has come in for me yet.
AP: Tell me about your recruiting process? Has it been stressful, fun, like the attention or something you just have to do?
Ryan: I think it’s really something you just have to go through. Kind of stressful at times - like what if I don’t get the one I really want, but it’s also exciting when you do get one. That means you’re actually somebody now.
AP: Who is recruiting you the hardest right now?
Ryan: I have an official offer from Weber State. And then Denver University is very high on me. Also Portland, NAU and GCU are all interested in me.
AP: What would it take to sign at one of these schools like location, coaching staff, academics or comfort level?
Ryan: If I can get to that place to go to the next level. My goal has always been to be a professional athlete. It doesn’t have to be in the NBA. If I can go overseas and play, I would be happy.
AP: Do you have a pre-game meal?
Ryan: I always put a little honey in anything I eat for some natural sugar.
AP: What is your favorite food?
Ryan: Pizza!
AP: What is your favorite video game?
Ryan: NBA2k. I just beat one of my teammates today.
AP: If your not playing basketball, what are you doing?
Ryan: In my room, in my pajamas, singing and dancing.
AP: What is your ultimate goal for the team?
Ryan: My ultimate goal for my team is getting that state championship. Jaron is leaving next year and I would love for him to go to college with a ring on his finger.
AP: What do you think will take to win it all?
Ryan: A lot of teamwork and hard work. If we can play as a team, I really feel there is no team that can play with us.
AP: Your personal goal was to play professionally?
Ryan: Yes, I just want to play professionally somewhere.
AP: Knowing what you know now, what would you change if anything at all, if you could start HS basketball over?
Ryan: I would definitely go back and take care of my books. When I was younger I kind of thought I was better then I really was, and I was selfish and I didn’t know grades were really important as they were. So I messed around a little bit in class.
AP: What is your GPA?
Ryan: It’s a 3.0 GPA. It should be a 3.3 GPA by the end of the year. For this semester I have a 3.5 GPA.
AP: Anything else you like to add to ArizonaPreps.
Ryan: I am honored to be interviewed. It’s really like the 1st time I’ve been interviewed. Thank you!
