"All It Takes Is That One Person To Believe In You..." The Inspiring Story Of Ryan Anderson
The United States is by far the number one destination to pursue basketball in the world. Whether its the NBA or college basketball, the United States has built an empire in not just basketball but in all major sports. Yet, a spark of interest struck in Canada as the Raptors decided to obtain Kawhi Leonard, who not only worked out for the organization’s benefit but the Country as well. The way Canada rejoiced to celebrate the 2019 championship displays how much Canadians value basketball. Whether it’s the players or the culture surrounding the sport itself, basketball is growing in Canada. It is on pace to one day reach the level of hockey or even surpass it (im probably pushing it, but I’m passionate about growing basketball in Canada do you blame me). With this Raptors championship and leagues like the CEBL, the next generation in Canada has proven to express more interest in basketball than any other sport. However, the thing that makes basketball desirable compared to other sports is the culture it holds. Whether its the impact the players have on the fans or how winning a game can change the entire landscape of an arena, basketball’s power to impact a human being is indescribable. For instance, CEBL star and leading scorer Ryan Anderson of the Niagara River Lions journey towards the game of basketball started with something as simple as a conversation. However, what was Ryan Anderson’s life before entering the world of basketball?
Seattle Washington
Born in Seattle, Washington, on December 19, 1987, the Anderson family was gifted with Ryan, a young boy who wanted to be the best he can be. Growing up in Seattle, Ryan’s parents were always on top of keeping their kids out of trouble and instead focused on instilling religion into their daily lives. For the Anderson’s, going to church and participating in religious activities such as playing instruments or playing with other kids in his community were some of the things that were in his daily routine. However, for Ryan, it never felt like a burden or stress and instead, a joy in his life that he forevers cherishes. Yet, the one thing that truly hit home for Ryan was playing the instruments that were offered in his church. Music was something that both Ryan and his family were passionate about and would consistently practice as it was almost a tradition. As a result, Ryan instantly latched on to music and continued to grind in that field as he later created singles and even developed an album in the present day. This was Ryan’s first love and passion as he was introduced to something spectacular at such a young age. Yet, this was just the beginning for the young inspired Anderson as he was ready to try new things and was never afraid of a challenge.
Piano and the drums are some of the instruments Ryan learned how to play.
With school, religion, and his passion for music, Ryan was starting his childhood in the right direction. His diligence and work ethic was something that was gifted to him at birth, considering how much he strived to be the best in anything he did. Whether it was playing an instrument or even making a sandwich, Anderson always put 100% in everything he did, which made him unique in his community. Despite his early grasp of having a good work ethic, Ryan struggled to put it into something where he could work at it 24/7 until one day, everything changed.
Micheal Jordan and Gary Payton would constantly go at it everytime they matched up. Gary Payton was the only player in NBA history to match Micheal Jordan in trash talk. These two juggernauts were ruthless in there own way hence why they are both top players in there respected position.
Fortunately for Ryan, the community he grew up in was filled with other kids that loved the great outdoors and other physical sports activities. However, the number one thing that the youth around him would play is soccer and basketball, which was an early beginning for something spectacular that even Ryan never saw until later in his life. From his parent’s early teachings to his overall willingness to try something new, Anderson decided to pick up a basketball and see what he can do with it. During this time, Seattle was at the peak of its popularity in the basketball world as they were going up against Micheal Jordan and the Chicago Bulls countless times during the ’90s. The Supersonics could never surpass the Bulls; however, the number one thing that the Sonics did do was, inspire the next generation of athletes, including Ryan Anderson. By Anderson picking up a basketball, it also led him to pick up the remote as he instantly latched to the Sonics and the entire NBA. Despite him being born in Seattle, his favourite player growing up was Michael Jordan due to the similarities he felt they both shared. Even though Micheal Jordan is arguably the GOAT (Greatest, Of, All, Time), Ryan felt that Micheal shared a lot of his qualities such as work ethic, resilience, consistency, respect, and most of all, a heart of a champion. Jordan inspired Anderson to take anything he did to the next level and was impacted by Micheal’s stardom in basketball. Similar to most children his age, Jordan was viewed as a symbol of hope and was also a symbol to never give up on your dreams. It was at that moment where Anderson found a spark and used Jordan as an example that keeping your eyes on the price is all you need to accomplish what you want. Even though Anderson was only 11 years old, he immediately picked up a basketball and started to practice every day. His young inspired heart was finally ignited into something he loved.
During the ignition of his hooping dreams, Anderson ran into a slight setback that he felt affected his production on the court, which was his athleticism. Unlike the other children in his community, Anderson wasn’t the most athletic player on the court as he struggled to keep up with his opponent on the defensive end of the court. However, instead of feeling discouraged or let down on his weaknesses, he decided to focus on other aspects of the game, such as shooting the ball and ball control. The more he practiced his offensive craft, the more confident he felt on the court yet, Ryan was still unhappy with his athletism and decided to take basketball more seriously. The young Anderson decided to try-out for numerous teams and was recruited by his uncle, who was the toughest coach Anderson ever had. Typically when someone coaches a group as young as 11 years of age, the coach is usually flexible with the intensity he or she provides to the players. However, when it came down to Ryan’s uncle, his coaching style was pure toughness as he wanted to show these young athletes what hard work is all about. The practices that Ryan and his teammates experienced were some that will always be embedded in his as he was slowly starting to develop athletism to a point where he would outrun some of his teammates. Even though the practices were brutal and, at times, a bit extreme for the young athletes, Ryan’s uncle instilled the idea of what hard work is all about and what it can bring to you when you are consistent with it. This was just the beginning for Anderson as he finally discovered what tools he needs to become the best basketball and, more importantly, the best person he can be. Without his uncle showing him the ropes at an early age, Ryan might not have been the same person he is today.
The lesson that can be taken from Ryan’s uncle is, to never give up on someone and instead push them to limits that even you can never see your self doing. Ryan’s uncle saw something in him that Ryan didn’t even notice. As a result, Anderson is now a five-time champion in his professional career while also achieving awards for helping and being apart of multiple communities. Without Ryan’s uncle pushing him to in practice and his parents instilling responsibility and religion in his life, Ryan has not only developed into a fantastic basketball player but has also become a great human being along the way. The one thing that is remarkable and consistent in Anderson’s story is, he never took anything for granted and focused on his dreams rather than being cocky and arrogant. A heart of a true champion is where you put all your emotions aside and focus on the prize, which is something Anderson lived by since day one.
Despite the early lessons that Anderson developed at a young age like work ethic and consistency, he was still unsatisfied with his production. He was looking for guidance to help take his offensive game to the next step. Ryan’s uncle focused more on the fundamental aspects of the game, such as running, endurance, stamina, durability, and consistency, to help elevate his athletism. In Ryan’s uncle’s mind, if you can not run on the court you cant play hence why he focused more on that rather than then the more technical aspects of the game which is what Anderson needed at the time. Fortunately enough for Ryan, he lived in a basketball city full of all kinds of opportunities like watching the Seattle Supersonics live or even potentially partaking a camp with actual NBA players or even Hall of Famers! Imagine if you had the chance to watch your favourite NBA team live and also playing alongside actual NBA talent! Wouldn’t that be insanity!? Well, that’s precisely what Ryan managed to experience later in his life as he was fortunate enough to partake in an NBA camp that would forever change his life and, more specifically, a certain NBA player changing his perspective of basketball!
When interviewing Anderson on the phone, one of the things that stook out to me was the fact that he managed to not only participate in an NBA basketball camp near his house but to be mentored by one of the greatest players ever to play the game! As Ryan explained, Ray Allen, who was at the time a member of the Seattle Supersonics, always held camps around the city to help mentor the next generation of athletes. Not only did Ryan participate in these camps held by Ray Allen, but he also managed to play a real game against Ray Allen and had the responsibility of guarding the Hall of Famer. During this pinnacle point in Ryan’s life, he was in high school playing for his basketball team hence why he had this incredible opportunity. However, during their duel on the court, Ray Allen saw something different in Ryan’s game compared to anyone else that was on the court. He felt that Ryan shared similar traits of his game compared to his own, which gave Ray an automatic responsibility to help this kid take his game to the next level. Right away, Ray saw the same thing that Ryan’s uncle and his parents did, which was heart and passion for the game of basketball. Whether it was hitting a clutch three on Ray Allen or playing terrific defence, Ryan was a rare specimen of raw talent. As a result, the Hall of Famer decided to take Ryan under his wing and decided to mentor him.
After the scrimmage, Ray Allen took Ryan aside and gave him pointers on how to be the best player he can be. Ray Allen gave Ryan all kinds of advice yet the one thing that hit him was,
“You can either be a set-shooter or a jump-shooter”
To a person like you and me, that quote might now mean much; however, for Ryan, it meant everything to him as that was something he needed to hear. From that moment on, Ryan felt different about basketball, considering how everyone that was apart of his basketball journey saw so much potential in him, including a person like Ray Allen. This hooping dream that Ryan had at a young age was starting to look like a reality for him as he was gifted with being mentored by one of the greatest players ever to do it while also having the work ethic that was instilled at a young age. As the camp came to a close, the relationship between Ray Allen and Ryan Anderson kept on going as they regularly worked out together when Ray wasn’t travelling. However, once Ray Allen left for the Boston Celtics, the mentor-ship came to a close, but the lessons always stayed in Ryan’s head and pushed him to limits that even he couldn’t believe he can ever accomplish. The only thing that Ray Allen did was believing in Ryan, which is arguably the most potent force when pursuing your dream. If someone believes in you and pushes you in ways that are beyond comprehension, your dream all of sudden starts to look like reality as long as you keep working hard at what you do. In Ryan’s case, he never gave up and instead worked harder than everyone else because of great human beings like Ray Allen and his uncle.
Stories like these are what make this sport incredible. The fact that Ray Allen, who was one of the best players at the time, took time out of his schedule to help a teenager with a hooping dream is remarkable. It gives perspective on what impact a person can have on someone, especially when fighting to conquer your dreams. Everyone in this world has an immense level of responsibility that shouldn’t be handled carelessly. Stories like this teach us to always treat your peers with respect and class rather than disgust and torment. All it takes is that one word or push to elevate someone to make there lives to the next level, and that’s something that Ray Allen did to Ryan. However, after Ray Allen’s mentorship, Anderson’s career officially started to spark up.
High School Career
Ryan’s start to his high school career started on a high note. As a freshman, Anderson, alongside future NFL wide receiver, Terrence Williams managed to lead his team to the number one seed in the entire Country. In addition, Anderson and the Rainier Beach high school won the state championship and would go on to dominate in the following years.
In Anderson’s sophomore season, his team would become the runner-ups to win the championship, and as a junior, he ended up receiving all-conference and all-city accolades. Already as a teenager, the aspiring young Anderson has accomplished an abundance of accomplishments, which is not that surprising considering the amount of hard work and time he put towards the game that he loves. In his final year of high school, he quietly almost averaged a triple-double and led his team to the fourth seed with a record of 23-7. This incredible feat paved Anderson a path to participate in the Amateur Athletic Union or otherwise known as the AAU. To make matters even crazier, Anderson alongside Boston Celtic’s legend and current Washington Wizards point guard Isaiah Thomas and former NBA center Spencer, Hawes led there team to win the Nike Main Event in Las Vegas. You would think that all of this early success that Anderson attained would stop, however, as a cherry on top, Ryan single-handedly defeated current NBA superstar sensation Kevin Durant in a three-point contest. All the success that Anderson received allowed him to close this chapter in his basketball career and opened a new one by joining the University of Nebraska.
Professional Career
Where do you even begin when looking at Ryan’s professional career? Do you look at his five basketball championships (three with the NBL and two with the PBL), or do you look at the all basketball selections? The reality is, Ryan Anderson has forged a legendary resume while also competing as a leader on and off the court. Anderson is a one-time finals MVP and an NBL three-point champion. Even though Anderson could never reach the NBA status, which in my opinion was a total loss for the NBA, Anderson managed to be legendary on the court and an inspiration off the court. Anderson may have won countless awards on the hardwood floor; however, this past summer, he won the first-ever 2019 CEBL Community Ambassador Award as a member of the Niagara River Lions.
Overall, Ryan Anderson will go down in history as one of the greatest Canadian athletes this Country has to offer. Accolades are nice, but what makes Anderson special is his heart on and off the court. Whether it was his parents believing in him from the start or Ray Allen mentoring him, Ryan never gave up on his dreams and has been a perfect example of what Canadian sports are all about. His hard work and leadership led him to have a fulfilled basketball career filled with lots of success and love. One of the questions I asked Ryan on the phone was, what was the best thing that ever happened in your basketball career which he stated,
“Basketball allowed me to meet the love of my life (Danielle Anderson). Without basketball, I would have never found the true love of my life. ”
Even though you're from Seattle Washington, you will always be a legend in Canada. Thank you for representing Canada the way you have.
