Personal Statement

How to describe Ryan Lewis:

• 6'-5"  and still growing...
• Determined
  • Hard Worker
  • Perseverance - keeps on going and never quits
  • Puts his all into everything he does - whether it is academics or basketball
  • Plays with heart
  • The Underdog - it is nothing short of amazing that someone with my kind of disability is even playing competitive basketball
  • Wingspan Defense 
  • Ability to read the opponents                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Ambidextrous and does not have a dominant hand  

I was delayed in elementary school in developing my handwriting because of a motor skills impairment. When I finally started writing, I write with my left hand. You can't really read my writing.  I eats my bowl of cereal each morning with my right hand.   I was held back a year in elementary school and was diagnosed as having a learning disability known as "Dysgraphia".  For people with Dysgraphia, it is very common to have fine motor impairment in many aspects of daily life.  Dysgraphia is primarily a writing disability that significantly impacts learning. I would later learn that I had a traumatic brain injury occur as a young child and that caused Dyspraxia.  In 7th grade, I was unable to catch a basketball, dribble a basketball at all, or even run without tripping over my own feet because of my motor skills impairment.  It took a lot of hard work  to overcome the disability. I spent countless hours training on my own. I went from NO ABILITY to being invited by coaches to attend college elite basketball camps in just 40 months. The Lord granted me a miracle in allowing me the ability to overcome disability to be able to play competitive basketball. I share my story with anyone who wishes to hear it.  I believe that it is my purpose to champion Special Olympics so that all kids have access to sports. 

I have an older brother, Kelly, who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.  It was my older brother and my middle school coach who encouraged me to TRY -- keep on trying to dribble the ball and work on your coordination.  I spent countless hours on the court practicing and continuing to push myself.  The result of all the hard work was that I made my 8th grade Varsity basketball team.  Coach R and Kennard Winchester (Rockets/Knicks) spent the season continuing my development.  I didn't stop there.  I preserved through the disappointment of not making my high school JV team for the freshman year.  In lieu of making the team, I spent the entire season going to the court one day and the gym the next on my own throughout the entire basketball season.  The result of the hard work was that when I tried out for Team Carolina AAU Basketball for the Spring season, and I was selected for their freshman team.  I played Center/Post for the AAU Spring and Summer seasons my Freshman year.  

I made my high school JV team for Sophomore year.  With Team Carolina I played on their 10th grade Exposure Team and had to hustle because most games we only had 7 or 8 guys.  I attended skills training sessions at my AAU club more than any other player, and most of the time was the oldest player there.  I was committed to my player development.  I played Varsity in the Summer with my high school.  I unfortunately had to move to Tennessee because of my parents work.

And now a word from my mother:

Ryan may not be a flashy player, but he will deliver the fundamentals and he hustles on the court.  Being ambidextrous, he can handle the ball with both hands.  As a result, in game situations, he tends to be handed the left lanes because the opponents can't tell that he has the ability to dribble left handed.  He can also dribble and move into an opposite handed pass simultaneously which tends to throw the opponent.  His passing skills are incredible. Defensively, he uses his wingspan to an advantage and often tips balls to change their trajectory or make a flat out block. He has the ability to make lateral moves and aggressively hounds his offensive opponent. He is very vocal on the floor. He has solid technical ability to trail behind the ball handler and not foul them in the process, which is rare for a high schooler. He is very determined and he plays with joy because he has had to work harder than everyone else just to be able to do it.   Ryan is a match up problem with the typical guard not able to contain him and he is too quick & athletic for most big men. That being said, the kid can athletically keep up with anyone and at the same time body into a guy who has a lot of weight onto him with no problem. He is very strong in the post on the inside, has the ability to pop out, and is good with pinch post plays. He is the utility player that delivers an all around game performance. You put him with a line-up of some talent and you will have a successful team.  This utility player keeps his team in the game and he is an effective cooler to make a game momentum change for the team. The best quality that Ryan has is that he doesn't have an ego. He is happy setting is team mates up for success or sitting on the bench waiting for when he is needed.  He is just happy being part of the team and getting to play basketball.

The young man is committed and determined to excellence in everything he does.  Because of his disability, it takes Ryan four times as long as one of his non-disabled peers to complete the same school work.  Ryan puts his all into his school work and maintains a strong work ethic.  He is driven to do well academically.  He begins his Senior year with an overall 3.875 GPA,  which again is nothing short of remarkable.  Ryan is interested in either pursuing an Education degree for Physical Education. He plans to do a masters for Special Education.  Whatever degree he pursues, he sees working with special needs children in his future.  Ryan spends his free time volunteering at the skilled nursing facility where his older brother resides (pre-Covid).  He also plays video games with younger children who have special needs, offering friendship to anyone who needs it.  Ryan is currently co-authoring a book with his mother on his disability and the journey to overcome it in order to be able to play competitive basketball and be successful academically. Ryan hopes to be able to inspire others with his spirit and determination.  You can do anything if you put your mind to it and you are willing to put in the hard work.  Basketball has become Ryan's passion.  At his high school, Ryan has become the basketball coach and is helping to prepare the kids for their Special Olympics event.  Ryan also presents with natural leadership skills on the court.  He is the total team player.

The ideal situation for Ryan would be:

1.  A coach who talks with players. He likes to interface with the coach about what he and the team needs to work on to be able to do better.  He is all about the strategy and mathematics of the game, so he appreciates the ability to talk about the game.  

2.  A smaller school with a smaller class ratio size and the academic supports to assist Ryan with his learning disability.  He will need some accommodations in order to be successful in college since he does have a specific learning disability and a 504 plan.

3.  As much financial assistance for college as possible since his family supports two disabled family members and he doesn't want to end up with a lot of college debt.  Particularly if he ends up going into the educational field. 

4. Location is not as important to Ryan so much as the opportunity to receive a quality education and to be able to do what he loves (basketball) at the same time.  He truly is looking for a home where he can be accepted for who he is and can feel like he belongs.