Ryan Blackwell

Ryan Marcus Blackwell (born December 8, 1976) is an American basketball coach and former professional player who is an assistant coach for the Siena Saints.

College career Illinois Blackwell started his college career at the University of Illinois in 1995. He appeared in 30 games his freshman season before transferring to Syracuse and sitting out the 1996–1997 season due to transfer protocols.

Syracuse Blackwell debuted for Syracuse in the 1997–1998 season. Blackwell started every game for the Orange over the next three years, averaging 11.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game and helping to lead them to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and two Sweet 16 appearance (1998 and 2000).

Blackwell is best remembered by Syracuse fans for making the game-winning, buzzer-beating shot, in overtime, against St. John's in the 1998 Big East Tournament. The 69–67 win sent the Orange to Big East Championship game where they would fall to Connecticut 69–64.

Coaching career After the conclusion of his playing career, Blackwell worked as a coach at different levels. He served as the head boy's basketball coach at Liverpool High School in Liverpool, New York for nine years before accepting a position as an assistant coach at Siena College in 2024.

Head coaching record -Blackwell will depart as the head coach of Liverpool High School boys basketball after nine years where he led the Warriors to five section championships and was named the 2018 USA Today New York State Basketball Coach of the Year after a perfect season.