By Zach Smart
After stealing the show at the prestigious Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts and morphing into the mad gunslinger with a 27-point eruption on the strength of seven 3-pointers, en route to a 74-67 victory over Don Bosco Prep (NJ), Braylan Ritvo is starting to ramp up his recruiting.
On Wednesday, Ritvo received an offer from Eastern Michigan. The Class of 2024, 6-foot-8 floor spreader said he heard from the likes of Cornell, Maine, Long Beach State, and Vermont following his performance at Hoophalll, in which he shot a smoking 7-for-10 from 3-point territory. Ritvo also displayed his dexterity in the paint and patience as a back to the rim scoring threat.
These elements of his game have been visible this season, as he’s had multiple run-sparking games which he’s taken into his own hands with scoring onslaughts. Ritvo scored 30 points during a victory over the nationally reputable Corona Centennial (CA), as he scorched the nets to the tune of 8-for-10 from beyond the arc. Ritvo was the stabilizing force who propelled Stepinac past a youth-laden Cardinal Hayes team last month, as he scored 39 points and stretched the floor out while also attacking the interior, ripping 12 rebounds. Against Hayes, Ritvo was able to exploit mismatches in the post, powering up against a thinned out frontline which doesn’t have a player taller than 6-foot-4. Ritvo’s eruption was witnessed by Buffalo associate head coach Hamlet Tibbs.
In a national environment of the Hoophall’s magnitude, a sheer shooting clinic on a stage featuring in the vicinity of 12-13 Divison-I players has the power to command a coach’s attention. For Britvo, it has resulted in the latest offer.
“I would say the offer means a lot to me considering colleges are starting to take notice of what I can do on the court,” Ritvo said.
“They are a very strong program that produces great talent and turns them into pros so it means a lot getting an offer from a school of that caliber.”
Who else has been on Ritvo heavily, on the recruiting scene?
“I’m am hearing consistently from Cornell, Maine, Long Beach State, Lehigh, Vermont and Bryant,” said Ritvo.
While he’s a high academic recruit who has certainly garnered credibility with the Ivy and Patriot League programs, Ritvo’s emergence against an opponent like Don Bosco Prep, with Rutgers-bound nationally acclaimed 2024 point guard Dylan Harper (who scored 22 points in the matchup), should open his profile up to upper major programs. Time will tell, and with his scoring sprees early and often during a memorable senior season, time is certainly working in the favor of Ritvo.
