Andrew Force:
Future150 National Analyst. Covering High and Middle School basketball.
St. Louis, MO (Future150) -- From the moment he takes the floor it looks like Ryan Stipanovich is going to be a classic power forward.
That notion is quickly dismissed by the agility of the tall, young man (6-foot-7). Stipanovich hovers around the arc and waits for the ball reversal. He can catch and shoot very well.
"I have coached him since third grade and on," said AAU Coach Kevin McArthy. "All of our drills are facing the basket. We work on ball skills, even with our big guys. We have been able to play him at the 2-3 because we have an extremely tall team. He has been ready for it."
While his penetrating skills lag slightly behind he projects as a nimble wing. Colleges will have the option of sliding him to the two or the three.
"I play the wing," said Stipanovich. "I am pretty tall and it helps me get my shot off. I can shoot the three. I can put it on the floor and get it to the rim."
Familiar
Nearly 17 years old, Ryan also carries with him the burden and blessing of his famous last name.
Anyone from Missouri knows the name Stipanovich well, dating back to the Mizzou-legend, Steve Stipanovich.
"His uncle played eight years in the NBA, with the Indiana Pacers," said Gateway AAU Coach McArthy. His sister is 6-foot-6 and plays at Penn."
Ryan now has the same opportunities opening before him like doors in hallway.
In the last three days Stipanovich added offers from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, IUPUI, Wyoming, and Eastern Illinois.
"With him, this year, we have been fighting through some injuries because he has grown so much," said Coach McArthy. "His hamstrings tighten up a little bit. I see him as a D1 player, definitely. Once he gets in the weight room and fills out a little bit the sky is the limit."
Following the Formula
Even though his style of play is completely unique from both his uncle and father, Ryan is attending the same high school on the west side of St. Louis.
De Smet Jesuit High School finished a lowly 10-16 last winter, but the Spartans welcome back their entire roster this academic year.
"He has really improved on his three-point shot and his ball-handling," said AAU Coach McArthy. "He has also improved on his post-up game."
The two areas Stipanovich will separate himself from other tall shooters are footwork and movement off the ball.
He works very hard to get to his spots, which often results in easy attempts. Already advanced at running around screens, look for him to only improve this aspect.
The question with every tall shooter is...Can he defend the perimeter?
"I am working on my quickness," said Stipanovich. "I need to defend the two. I am working on it."
Early indications are that he will be excellent defending the college two. The lateral mobility of Stipanovich is uncanny and he puts in the work to make it even better.
As with any legacy athlete there is uncommon pressure to succeed. Consider this month as proof that the legacy lives on.
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