Jack Ryan (streetball player)
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Jack Ryan, aka "Black Jack", aka "Water", is an American streetball player from Brooklyn, New York. Ryan's basketball exploits began at John Jay HS, where as a senior, averaged 26 ppg. Ryan later took his game to East 5th St. Park in Brooklyn, where he mastered the tricks and shots he became well known for. In his first season in a recreational league at West 4th, Ryan played one game against former Piston Phil Sellers and scored 44 points [1]. Ryan is also known for his very proficient 3-point shooting. According to an article written by Bobbito Garcia about Ryan in Slam Magazine Streetball Special Collector's Issue, Chris Mullin once described Jack as the best shooter he'd ever seen who hadn't played in the NBA. Also, the article states Peter Vecsey got Ryan a tryout with the New Jersey Nets in 1990, but was the second-to-last man cut, ending Ryan's NBA aspirations. Yet, Ryan still proved his mastery of the 3-point shot when he won the 2005 City Slam 3-Point Shooting Championships, which aired on ESPN. In a close final, Ryan edged out fellow streetball sharpshooter Deshun "Father Time" Jackson to take the title. In the media, Ryan was featured on the cover of the New York Times Sports section on December 3rd, 2003, and in May of 2003 was named as one of "Slam Magazines Greatest Playground Ballers of All Time" [2]. Aside from streetball, Ryan is also known for performing during halftime shows at NBA arenas with the basketball performance group "Project Playground".
