Bronco Athletics

Basketball’s Ryan Burbach Commits to Cornell

11/11/2024

Brophy senior Ryan Burbach has committed to playing basketball and attending the Ivy League’s Cornell University.

“I wanted to focus on basketball and let recruiting take care of itself,” said Burbach. “Cornell started contacting me in April before club season. They told me about the university and playing style. I grew up watching seven seven-second or less style of the Steve Nash-era Suns. The Cornell style intrigued me. I kept an eye on them, and they offered me, and I went on a visit. It was a fantastic place and a group of guys. It is an amazing culture.”

Burbach plays to study economics.

“As an Ivy League school, it is top-notch in academics, and the goal was to use basketball to see something further in my basketball career,” said Burbach.

He will play for Head Coach Jon Jaques, who takes over this season after 12 seasons as a Cornell assistant. Cornell enters this season off a 22-8 season (the second-most wins in school history), finishing second in the final Ivy League standings and earning the program's first-ever bid to the NIT.

Burbach earned Arizona Republic All-Arizona Honorable Mention honors, All-Premier Region first-team honors, and was a Sports360 AZ All-Academic selection as a junior. He averaged 10.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 39.6 percent beyond the arc.

“From the moment that Ryan first stepped into Brophy's gym for middle school summer camps, he has shown elite-level abilities as a shooter and a tireless dedication to growth,” said Head Coach Matt Hooten. “ His laser focus on expanding his game has helped him evolve into a versatile player who impacts many areas of a basketball game. Last season, Ryan led our team in rebounds, deflections, blocks, steals, and charges, illustrating his competitive nature and relentless commitment to helping to lead his team to victory. We are excited to see Ryan take these qualities to Cornell University next year, where he will immediately impact both sides of the floor.”

Cornell posted a school record for assists in a season (544) and the highest assist: turnover ratio (1.486) and ranked in the top three in school history in 3-pointers made (second, 310), steals (second, 250) and scoring average (third, 82.1) in 2023-24.

“It means everything to continue playing basketball,” said Burbach. “I love the sport; it has taught me more about life than life. It is an amazing opportunity, and I am blessed to be able to play at the next level. I am competitive and look forward to playing against top-notch competition.”

As one of the team's leaders, Burbach enters his senior season on Dec. 3 against Desert Mountain. The Broncos will travel to Sacramento in December to play the Father Barry Classic, where Burbach earned all-tournament honors last season.

“I want to make it a good one,” said Burbach. “My last year snuck up on me. It's different because you look up the seniors, and then you are a senior. It is a responsibility you cannot take lightly to be a guy in a leadership position. You have to take it seriously.”

Burbach will participate in Brophy’s Collegiate Commitment Celebration on Nov. 13.