Recruiting Report: Ryan Larson (2018)
I first got a real look at Ryan Larson‘s game during a very impressive state championship run for Braham in 2016. He was just a sophomore then, but he was so good at scoring efficiently and was the leading scorer in the state title game.
Now, two years later, Larson has moved to St. Paul and is the point guard for Cretin-Derham Hall. The entire starting lineup has been offered scholarships at the D2 level or higher, including center Daniel Oturu, the centerpiece of the Minnesota Gophers’ 2018 recruiting class.
You better believe that CDH is planning to make a serious run in Class AAAA this year.
“I usually get to CDH at about 6:15 and start working out on ball handling and shooting with Shaye Fields, our assistant coach,” Larson told NHR. “After school we have open gym Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. These runs are usually extremely competitive and are just great competition. And then three days a week I lift after open gym as well.”
Larson made the tough decision not to go out for football this year. He did as a junior, but this fall there were colleges that wanted to come visit and watch CDH open gyms. He says he misses football, especially as Cretin made a state run, but his body feels great without all the collisions. He was there cheering as the Raiders made it all the way to the state semifinals, eventually losing to Minnetonka.
His current scholarship offers are Sioux Falls, St. Cloud State and Northern State, all D2 programs in the NSIC. He’s had some contact with programs from other divisions, and he’s considering his process very carefully.
“Honestly, I’m open to any division,” he said. “I am currently thinking I’m going to wait until after the season to commit and decide where I will be going. I’m more just waiting for a time when I’m ready to commit and find a place that feels like home to me.”
All campus visits will be postponed until after the basketball season. But Larson does have one academic area on his mind in particular.
“The biggest thing for me is a great business school, one that is widely known for getting their students jobs right out of college,” he said. “Also, the relationship with the coaches and how honest they are with me is a big part, as well. Then of course having a great group of teammates that is like a family.”
Northstar Hoops will have coverage at the Cretin-Derham Hall Jamboree this Saturday.