Ryan Brock didn’t start his college basketball career at Loyola, but he has never been more dedicated to a team.
Brock entered high school at Brother Martin in New Orleans playing every sport he could. During his sophomore year, he had to pick one sport to settle down with so he started focusing on basketball.
Brock played in two state championship games during his junior and senior years at Brother Martin. His favorite year of the two was his junior year, when he scored a 3-point shot from the right wing of the court to win the game. “It was a crazy play,” said Brock. “It was a scramble and we got an offensive rebound. The guy threw it right out to me and another guy was running at me and I just shot it.”
After high school, Brock was signed by head coach Monte Towe to play basketball for UNO, but was redshirted his freshman year of college. The next year, Towe, Brock’s reason for signing, left UNO to become associate head coach at North Carolina State.
In his first year playing, Brock broke his left hand in a “freak accident” during practice, which took him out for the rest of the year. More coaching changes at UNO the next year made Brock reconsider his options. He needed a new school and a new team.
Brock’s friend and former Loyola basketball alumnus, Torry Beaulieu convinced Brock to leave UNO and transfer to Loyola. Things started to pick up for Brock when the Loyola basketball team won 19 games, the most in school history, during his first year with the Wolfpack. During the 2009-2010 season, Brock became the first student in Loyola history to be named NAIA All-American.
Brock believes that, in basketball, players need to be able to give and take corrective criticism. He likes to give positive feedback and encouragement to his teammates because it lets them know that he has confidence in them. Before every game, Brock focuses on what he needs to do to improve from his past performance. He also makes sure to find time to say a prayer for his uncle, who died when Brock was 17. “I say a prayer for him, that he’s with me and the team during the game,” said Brock.
After the game, Brock said the mood depends on the final score of the game. “When you lose, you’re dead tired. Your mind’s just gone. You’re mentally tired because you’re thinking about what you could have done to help your team win. But when you win, you’re not thinking about anything at the time,” said Brock.
Brock values his team above all. He is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win. “It’s easier for somebody to remember a team than an individual,” said Brock. He has won many awards in the past, all of which he is proud of, but said the achievement is even better if his team is winning at the time.
Brock, who takes pride in his being a disciplined athlete, looks up to the New Orleans Hornets’ point guard Chris Paul, a personal friend, for his strong work ethic and commitment to the game. “Watching how much he works on a daily basis motivates me to get working,” said Brock.
Brock is a management major at Loyola. He plans on exploring opportunities in coaching, management and basketball after graduation. Until then, he’ll remain dedicated to his team and his sport. “I definitely don’t take being able to play basketball for granted,” said Brock. “Ever.”
Scott O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]
