Prospect Spotlight: Ryan Riggs (2021)
Very few prospects in Iowa’s Class of 2021 are more intriguing than Dowling’ 6-foot-8 power forward Ryan Riggs.
He’s a smooth big-man who can stretch the floor and has a great feel for the game. Riggs just wrapped up a terrific sophomore season with the Maroons, and says it’s his length and athletic ability that allowed him to be so successful.
“My length and athletic ability really helps me inside, finishing around the rim. I also think I can step outside and shoot it from the 3, and even some driving capabilities,” said Riggs.
“Just my outside game is what I’ll work on this offseason. I feel like at the college level, being 6’8 you’ve got to become more of an outside player nowadays.”
As a sophomore, Riggs helped the Maroons to a state tourney appearance and was one of the best young players in the state, averaging 12.2 points on 58 percent shooting, 1.6 blocks and 5.3 rebounds per game.
“I feel like I was needed as a leader on the team and also as a scorer and rebounder, also a rim-protector,” said Riggs. “I feel like I played alright, obviously as a player you’re always going to critique yourself a little bit here and there, but I feel I played good and there’s better things to come next year.”
Two summers ago, Riggs played grassroots ball with Kansas City-based MOKAN Elite 14U. He was hurt last summer and didn’t play. This offseason, he’ll play with Omaha Sports Academy (OSA) 16U on the adidas Gauntlet.
Waukee shooting guard Tucker DeVries, also an OSA player, had a hand in getting Riggs added to the team.
“Tucker was the guy that reached out to me and told me they wanted to have me come play with them, so I’ve gotten to know him through that. And I’m really excited for the year, I’ve loved getting to know the coaches and all that,” said Riggs.
For recruitment, Riggs has most recently visited Iowa State. He visited Creighton in the fall of his freshman season and has visited Drake as well.
“I’d like to get new schools interested this summer,” he said. “Just getting as many coaches as I can to see me, and hopefully getting some interest from them.”