Junior guard Ryan Boatright was honored Saturday in Aurora, Ill., where he grew up, as a "hometown hero." Boatright was an integral part to the Huskies' national title run earlier this month, and before that, he was a standout at East Aurora High School, where he was Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois his senior season.
"The Boatright name is synonymous with East Aurora High School," East Aurora School Board President Raymond Hull said during the ceremony, according to the Hartford Courant. "It stands for blue-collar, hard work and excellence … When he was in school, he stimulated the entire Fox Valley. Wherever he played, people went to see him."
"Having the support from your hometown means a lot," Boatright said, who was also asked about is future basketball plans. Specifically: If he'll forego his senior season to enter the NBA Draft this summer.
“I really don’t know yet,” he said, via the Aurora Beacon-News.
“I’ve gotta talk to my mother and my family tomorrow. It’s a big decision. I just want to make the right one. I’ve got ‘til the 27th (of April to declare for the NBA draft). That’s the last day. That’s another reason I came home, to talk to my family about it.”
Back in March, before the Huskies got on their postseason run, the New Haven Register's David Borges spoke to several veteran NBA scouts, who had this to say about Boatight.
“I think he has to stay in school," the scout said. "He has to improve his shooting. At his size, he has to be able to knock down shots. He’s got great speed, quickness, an ability to get in the lane. He’s improving his passing, but he’s gotta work to be a knock-down shooter."
We'll know Boatright's plans one way or the other in the coming days or weeks.
