
Saguaro High School’s 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior combo-guard Ryan Berg has quickly become one of the hottest targets among unsigned senior prospects in the state of Arizona. Recently, Berg has began to generate loads of college interest and this week he received several different scholarship offers for his services.
While Berg has received many phone calls throughout his senior season from college programs at many different levels, this week Berg received several different scholarship offers for himself, as he was extended offers over the phone from Cal Baptist and Minnesota-Deluth University. Berg also received heavy interest from Hillsdale University in Michigan, which could become a scholarship offer in the near future for the sharp-shooting and high-scoring guard prospect.
"I am very excited to receive the offers, said Berg." "I am open to anything right now and just want to play through April before making my decision."
Berg has also began to generate loads of other interest from other smaller programs, and also has picked up serious interest from Seattle University and head coach Cameron Dollar, who plans to watch the prospect during the April evaluation period. Saint Mary's College has also expressed serious interest in Berg.
On Saturday afternoon at this year's Southwest Showcase Main Event, Berg was on fire and performed at at a very high level for himself - turning in one of the very best performances of the day among the tournament's best. Berg shot the ball exceptionally well, not even hitting the rim on most shots. He also handled and passed the basketball at a high rate and wowed the crowd in attendance with numerous fundamental plays and cross-over dribbles that almost made his defenders fall down.
Berg is among the best pure basketball players the state has seen in some time. While not possessing superior athleticism or size, Berg dominates games with precision shooting, passing and ball handling. A prospect that is capable of playing at any level as a result of his court awareness and fundamental approach to the game.
This past season, Berg ranked among the top overall scorers in the state - averaging 23 points, 3 assists and 3 steals per/game. Berg scored 24 or more points in a game on 13 different times this season, and amidst double-teams and defense designed to slow him down. Berg’s best effort of his career came in a game against Paradise Valley High School; a game in which Berg scored a game-high and career high of 43 points. Berg actually scored 43 of his team’s 62 total points in the game. In the game, Berg shot an amazing 16 of 23 from the field, and also made 11 of 16 three-pointers. Berg’s point total was the second most points scored in a game all-time at Saguaro High School.
Berg’s tremendous production has not come by accident, as Berg is a gym rat that works on his game daily. This past summer, Berg also worked out hard on his body to prepare himself for the collegiate level – shedding some pounds and toning up his body a great deal.
Berg ranks 2nd all-time in career points at Saguaro HS and 2nd all-time in career 3-pointers.
Berg is a very good student and carries a 3.2 CUM GPA. He is also the son of a former coach and a long line of coaches in his family. Ryan’s father, Michael Berg, coached for 25 years before deciding to call it quits.
Arizona Preps will continue to follow the recruitment of Berg closely this post-season and into the spring evaluation period – bringing you any recruiting updates as they begin to develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Berg is a strong and fundamentally sound basketball prospect with a high ability to score the basketball in a consistent manner. He is the state’s best shooting threat – capable of scoring the basketball in bunches and shooting with precision from anywhere on the floor. He can catch and shoot from the standstill position or while on the run -a throw-back shooter of the basketball. He is also able to get his shot off against bigger and quicker defenders, as he is very crafty with the ball in his hands and has an excellent feel for the game. Berg is also a strong ball handler that is capable of playing either guard position on the floor. His excellent feel for the game allows him to find the open man on the floor, and even see plays before they happen at times. Berg makes other players he plays with better because of his scoring prowess and his ability to find the open player on the court. Pushes the basketball up the floor. A solid rebounder that plays bigger than his size suggests. A solid defender that has improved a great deal in this area, and has good court anticipation and quick hands. Among the top sleeper prospects in the West, and a player that will help the program of his choice a great deal.