Ryan Boyce

Men's Basketball

Leaving Home

Leading up to opening night of the 2020-21 Georgia State men's basketball season, each member of the roster will be featured on a different day with a story, video, and social media elements. We continue the series today with Ryan Boyce who enters his first full season in a Panther uniform.

Sometimes in life leaving home can be one of the hardest things to do. It can be made even harder if you decide to stay close to home for college, only to realize that maybe it would be best to get away from everything and everyone you have loved.

That's exactly the case for sophomore Ryan Boyce who grew up in Memphis, Tenn., became a fan of his hometown school, the University of Memphis, got the opportunity to play there, only to realize that maybe it would be best to get away.

"It was a tough decision to leave Memphis as that is where I am from, but I felt like it was the best decision to get away from home and any distractions and come to a school like Georgia State," Boyce said. "I knew this was the best decision because I had a good relationship with all of the coaches. When I came on my official visit, it built all of my relationships up. It felt good with my teammates, the graduate assistants, everyone. Everything was just right."

Among those relationships that he had to leave behind were of his parents, both huge supporters and influences on him since a very young age.

"When my dad put a basketball in my hand, I just took off with it," Boyce said. "I had this fascination with shooting the ball in the hoop and it just took off from there.
"My dad was definitely my basketball influence even though he didn't really play basketball competitively when he was younger. He played football, but he always wanted me to play sports since he was into sports as well. He influenced me that if I wanted to play basketball I was going to need to work hard and take it seriously. My mom pushed me as well. They balanced me to make sure I was on the right path."

Add to all of that the fact that Memphis is a basketball town that taught Ryan a lot about the game and a lot about himself.

"Growing up in Memphis was cool and it really taught me a lot," Boyce said. "Memphis is a grind and a city known for basketball. I was playing against guys who were older and bigger than me, they had played the game of basketball longer than me, so it taught me how to be tough mentally and physically and how to grind it out and how to work hard for what you want not just in basketball but also in life."

Although there is no doubt it was difficult for him to leave home, Boyce did receive some good news earlier this fall. Despite transferring in January, the NCAA granted his waiver to be eligible immediately this fall, so when the season gets underway on Nov. 25, he will be on the court with his Panther Family ready to face the challenges of the 2020-21 season.
 
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Players Mentioned

Ryan Boyce

#32 Ryan Boyce

G
6' 6"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Ryan Boyce

#32 Ryan Boyce

6' 6"
Sophomore
G