Saguaro High School’s sharp-shooting 6-foot-1, 185-pound ultra-skilled and talented senior combo-guard Ryan Berg became a very hot target among unsigned senior prospects in the state this spring. The much improved and hard-to-guard guard prospect flat out put on a shooting exhibition this spring, and, as a result, saw his college recruitment skyrocket.
After receiving almost double-digit scholarship offers for himself this spring, Berg mulled over his recruiting options before making his decision this week to sign a national letter of intent with Cal Baptist University. Recently hired and successful head coach Rick Croy recruited Berg hard this spring, and proved to be the best fit for the high-scoring guard prospect.
Berg received serious interest this spring from Boise State Seattle, Saint Mary's and Northern Arizona, and also received scholarship offers from such programs as Minnesota-Deluth University, Hillsdale University and Chadron State.
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.
“Ryan is an exceptional young man that will do great things on and off the floor,” said Croy. “Our staff is thrilled by the fact that we will get to compete with him daily. There is no doubt that the CBU family will be better because Ryan Berg is a part of it.”
Berg is as much improved a player as I have seen in recent years, as he went from simply a pure shooter of the basketball, to now being almost unguardable with the basketball in his hands. Berg’s quickness off the dribble, ball handling prowess, court vision and ability to make shots from anywhere on the floor have made him as fun a player to watch as I have ever seen play the game. It is enjoyable watching Berg perform, as it seems that he can score every time he has the basketball in his hands – a rare quality not seen too often among prospects today.
Arizona Preps would like to congratulate Berg and his family on this accomplishment and would like to wish him good luck in the future.
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.
