Profile: Skyline basketball standout Ryan Wade heading to Holy Cross after his senior year
Ryan Wade is heading east – but only after he steps out of the shadows.
The standout Skyline basketball player announced last week that he will play collegiately at Division 1 Holy Cross following his upcoming senior year with the Eagles.
Wade will join Pioneer’s outstanding senior guard Drew Lowder, who also committed to Holy Cross, a private, undergraduate, Roman Catholic, Jesuit liberal-arts college located in Worcester, Mass. The Crusaders play in the Patriot League, which includes Boston University, Colgate, Bucknell, Army and Navy.
“The second I stepped on campus I just felt a lot of positive vibes,” said Ryan, the son of Keith and Maria Wade. “The coaching staff has been recruiting me heavy from the start. They’ve always shown that the really like me and believe I will be a great fit with their program.”
Ryan also was considering Robert Morris, North Dakota, Central Michigan and San Diego.
But the official visit to Holy Cross made the decision a slam dunk.
“It was great to finally get up there and see the campus and the school,” Ryan said. “I really connected with the players. And that’s important because these are the guys you are going to be spending a lot of time with. I think I fit well in their system and they need a shooter, and I think I can come in and make an impact. I think we can contend for some championships.”
Ryan also believes the Eagles can contend this year for some championships.
“We have three starters coming back and all three have improved a lot,” he said of the Skyline basketball team. “We know we have different and bigger roles this year and that we have to carry the load. I’m excited about the new guys and I think the more experience they get they will get even better.
“Our goal is to get back to where we were last year. The first goal is to win the SEC for the third year in a row and get another District and this time finish things in the Regional final.”
Despite being a dynamic player last year as a junior, Ryan was often in the shadows behind seniors Brandon Wade and Jack Ammerman. The talented Skyline backcourt helped lead the Eagles to an SEC title, District title and Regional final where the perfect season ended 61-59 to Novi.
Brandon, Ryan’s brother, is now playing at D-1 Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
Ryan played this past summer with One Nation.
“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “We picked up some key players including Drew and got a lot better. I was really happy with how I improved as a player and it was a great way to go out.”
Ryan said Drew is a good friend except for a few nights during winter when Skyline plays city rival Pioneer on the basketball court.
“We really clicked well this summer and I enjoy playing with him,” Ryan said. “I’m looking forward to playing with him at Holy Cross. We could be a lethal combination.”
