Ryan Mela Commits to Providence

By Owen Carlson | Friday, August 4th, 2023

Earlier this week, The Newman School/Middlesex Magic 2024 6’6” wing Ryan Mela committed to Providence College. While he impresses most with his court vision and pass selection, the bouncy slasher also shows craftiness and athleticism in his ability to maneuver through traffic and finish with contact. He is a top-ten 2024 recruit in the state of Massachusetts. 

Mela began his high school career at Natick High School, where he was also a major contributor on the soccer team for his first couple years. On the basketball side of things, he was already earning recognition early on, as he was named MetroWest MVP in just his sophomore year. He had another big year as a junior, leading Natick to a postseason run. 

Following the end of his junior season, he joined the Middlesex Magic and began competing on the UAA (Under Armour) Circuit. This may have been one of the wisest decisions of his career, as he would lead the Magic to UAA (Under Armour) Circuit Championship that same summer. 

He picked up his first Division I offer from Siena College early that off-season, and he would go on to collect offers over the next year from Stonehill, Dartmouth, Holy Cross, Loyola MD, UMBC, Bucknell, Colgate, Maine, Boston University, UMass, Towson, Fairfield, Richmond, Yale, Indiana State, Davidson, Miami (OH), Vermont, William & Mary, Buffalo, Northeastern, Hofstra, and finally Providence.

“Ryan Mela will go down as one of the most productive and talented wing/guards in the history of our program,” said Middlesex Magic Head Coach Mike Crotty, who had plenty of praise to share with NERR. “When Ryan came to our program two years ago, he had zero scholarship offers, and he was a kid that had a lot of talent and a great work ethic…I remember discussing with him and saying, ‘Ryan, you can play anywhere if you put your mind to it.’” 

That same summer, Mela made the decision to transfer to The Newman School and reclassified to the class of 2024. His success continued this past season, as he averaged 19.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.3 steals, all coming against elite-level competition at the NEPSAC Class-AAA level. 

Just this summer, he led Middlesex Magic to another UAA Championship, defeating top talent on a national level for the second consecutive year, averaging 15.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game. “He led us in scoring both years, started every game, and proved to be an extremely durable and reliable player,” noted Crotty. “He has made an indelible and lasting mark on our program as one of the better players we have ever had,” he said. “His leadership in helping us to Under Armour Championships on a national level has been nothing short of astounding, and we’re just thrilled that he came to our program, because it was one of the best fits of all time.”

Crotty also shared his thoughts on Providence being Mela’s new home, saying, “I think with all of his ability, one of the things that excites me the most about him going to Providence and playing in the Big East is that he still has room to grow. He will be stronger, more skilled, and an even better player in ten months when he arrives at Providence, where I believe he can make a big-time impact for Kim English, and I think he can become a fan-favorite down at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.”

Mela shared his immense excitement with NERR, saying, “Playing for Providence in the Big East was a dream of mine, growing up watching their success from a school 45 minutes away! Nothing’s better than being able to go to a great academic and athletic school,” he said. “After meeting Kim English and the coaching staff, while seeing the campus…made it a very easy decision. Always wanted my parents to be able to come watch my games, and now they can!”

Mela has been a New England basketball star for as long as he has played at the high school level. It feels fitting for him to be staying in the region to compete at the Division I level with the Providence Friars.