Ryan Lemons is a young man who believes in himself. When asked what the score would be if he played a game of 21 against Golden State Warriors guard and NBA All-Star Steph Curry, he didn’t flinch.
“I mean, it would be hard to get stops, but I feel like I could score on him, to be honest. I’d get a bucket or two. I’d say like 21 to 6,” Ryan smiles.
A sophomore point guard at Gardendale High School, Ryan has been playing basketball since he was five years old and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Last season as a freshman, he averaged 10 points per game, five assists, and four steals for the Rockets and head coach Chris Berry. This year, he’ll have the keys to the offense and will be the floor general when the team opens up on November 7 against Altamont.
When asked about other teams in the area who will be competitive this season, Ryan named two in particular—“definitely Clay and Pinson,” he says. “Those are the two games I’m ready for.”
Though he says his future plans are uncertain, Ryan is hoping for a college basketball scholarship when his high school career is all said and done. At this point he won’t have any trouble getting a recommendation from his head coach.
“Ryan epitomizes what we want from players in our basketball program. He has everything we’re looking for in the guard position. He is a fierce competitor who’s extremely tough. He is a good three-point shooter and a great defender. However, his greatest attribute is his ability to make his teammates better,” said Berry.
Ryan plays travel ball for the ‘Bama Celtics AAU team in addition to playing for Gardendale.
In the classroom, he loves to study history but is also interested in aerospace engineering. He carries a 3.8 overall GPA, and his anticipated graduation date is May of 2027.
No matter his direction, Ryan has a bright future ahead and is certain to make his parents, Eddie and Breanne Lemons, proud.
And maybe one day, he and Steph can have that game of 21 he’s been dreaming about, and Ryan can determine if his prediction is correct. After all, he’s given no one a reason to doubt him yet. TG
A special thanks to our sponsor, Launius Furniture in Kimberly, Alabama. Photos by Al Blanton.
