While the college basketball season wrapped up with Michigan's championship win, the NBA is heating up for the playoffs. And for Milwaukee Bucks fans, the future looks bright thanks to a rookie making an immediate splash.
Former UNC sharpshooter Cormac Ryan isn't just adjusting to the NBA—he's making history. The first-year guard has become the first Bucks player since Brandon Jennings in 2009 to record multiple 20-point games within his first seven career appearances, signaling a phenomenal start to his professional journey.
Ryan announced his arrival in a big way during an April 1st matchup against the Houston Rockets, erupting for a career-high 25 points on efficient 9-of-14 shooting. He followed that up just four days later with a masterful all-around performance in a win over Memphis, dropping 21 points while adding five steals, four rebounds, and three assists.
This explosive start is a direct extension of the skills he honed in Chapel Hill. During UNC's 2024 Sweet 16 run, Ryan was a lethal perimeter threat, leading the team in free-throw percentage and draining 75 three-pointers. His ability to stretch the floor and score consistently was his trademark, a skill that's translating perfectly to the NBA's pace and space.
For a Bucks team looking to build around its core, discovering a reliable, high-energy scorer like Ryan is a major win. His early success proves that the hard work and clutch shooting he displayed in college can thrive on basketball's biggest stage. As the playoffs approach for others, Ryan is using this time to solidify his place in the league, showing he has the talent and poise to be a key piece for Milwaukee moving forward.