I talked to Ryan Appleby, one of the key players going into this season for Romar and Company, this past week. Ryan was one of the most heralded basketball players ever out of Snohomish County. Along with Jon Brockman, I can't think of bigger hoop names in recent times from this former rural, but now mostly suburban area. It will be a nice story for UW to have them both.

Ryan was an inspiration for numerous kids that I used to see playing ball around Stanwood, where I lived over the better part of the last 5 years. I thought he showed a lot of class, staying on for his SR year there, after the core of the team that he led to two straight deep runs into the state tournament had left. Though he could have transferred to a big time school in Seattle to get major exposure, he stuck it out with his home town team.

Though his numbers were incredible his last year, the team had a much harder time putting up wins, but he never complained or pointed fingers at his team mates, which was impressive. After a year in Florida, which he goes on to reflect on, I was very pleased to hear that Ryan was transferring to UW.

I think his style will be a good fit for Romar and this veteran group. His outside shooting, ability to lead and distribute, bigger size and greater experience and maturity than he exhibited as a freshman at Florida will surprise many in the Pac-10 and beyond. I look for Ryan to be the starting guard this year and a possible honors candidate further on in his career at UW.

Jim: I really thought you were fun to watch out in Stanwood and did a great job there. Did you grow up there?

Ryan: We moved there when I was in the 6th grade. My parents had a house on the beach and they decided just to move up there.

Jim: When did you start playing basketball?

Ryan: When I was 5.

Jim: You played at Stanwood High for Nate Duchesne. He's moved on to Edmonds CC recently. Tell us about some of the memories of your high school career at Stanwood.

Ryan: We played against the Stewart Twins at Rainier Beach in the Semifinals of

the State Tournament in my SO year and then against Lincoln and Justin Holt in my JR year. He went on to be MVP they became state 4A champs.

Jim: Did you play against Nate Robinson when you faced Rainier Beach?

Ryan: No he came in the next year, when we became 4A, in my JR year.

Jim: Justin Holt was a really good ballplayer. Have you seen him lately?

Ryan: He signed with to OSU, but never played, but played that year at Tacoma CC. Then he went to Iowa State, but left after the Larry Eustacy mess happened and went to Virginia Tech, but left there and I kind of lost track of him after that. He was a pretty good player.

Jim: He went to New Mexico, but just left there before what would have been his JR year. He also played at Indian Hills JC in Iowa for a year. I've heard a rumor that he's trying to walk on at UW.

Ryan: A lot of people want to walk on at UW, but I believe they're full.

Jim: Who are the walk-ons, do you know?

Ryan: Brandon Burmeister, Hans Gasser and Zane Potter. I don't think there

will be any more.

Jim: I hear Hans is back on scholarship. What do you know about that?

Ryan: I've heard he is and then that he wasn't. I haven't seen Hans. I'm not sure.

Jim: What was it like playing some of the AAU ball in the summer when you were

in high school? Can you remember some of the big name people that you played

against?

Ryan: It's kind of a who's who of just about anyone who's anybody. Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Kris Humphries, JJ Reddick just to name a few.

Jim: You originally signed with Florida and played one year. Why did you leave?

Ryan: I liked the weather and it was fun playing there. We were #1 for a week and everyone treats you really nice. They played a different style of ball than I anticipated. It was a slower tempo than I like to play. The SEC is more slow it down and more physical than the Pac-10. I like to run and gun more.

Jim: What made you decide to come back to UW?

Ryan: UW plays a more up and down, fast pace game that's more how I like to play. I thought it was just a good opportunity to come back out here.

Jim: How tall are you now and how much do you weigh?

Ryan: I'm 6'3½" and 170.

Jim: Have you been working out a bit this summer? What have you been doing for

conditioning?

Ryan: I've been training with Steve Gordon up at the Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island. Luke Ridnour, Nick Collison, Michael Dickerson, Ray Allen, Nate Robinson, James Edwards, a whole lot of pros have been up there pretty consistently. Brandon Roy has been up there quite a bit in the last few weeks.

Jim: What is like playing with Luke?

Ryan: Playing with Luke is really fun. He's the starting guard for the Sonics, which is a very good opportunity for me to learn the tricks of the trade from someone who's a player similar to me in style, but a few years further along. It's been real good experience.

Jim: What has it been like over the past couple years playing against Nate and Will Conroy in practice and working out with them?

Ryan: They are two very physical guards, which has been very good practice for me to be better prepared to use my strengths and advantages to adapt to that type of play.

Jim: How do you do that?

Ryan: We will be using different screens to give me space to back players away so I can get open looks outside. I will also use my quickness and speed to get into the paint and create or score. I don't want to get into an arm wrestling match with guys who play like those guys in the half court, though playing with those guys has much better prepared me for dealing with it. Our fast paced style will work to my advantages as well.

Jim: Have you been going down to the Bank of America to play with some of the UW players this summer?

Ryan: Yeah, I've gone down there a bit. I was going down there more last summer.

Jim: Is there anyone on the team that you've noticed has developed something

new or a little bit different from last year?

Ryan: Bobby Jones will be putting the ball on the floor and scoring off the dribble. Brandon will be more of a three point threat than last year. If he can hit from outside, no one can stop him.

Jim: How about Jamaal Williams?

Ryan: He's just doing more of the same, but maybe better. He'll score on anybody.

Jim: Is there anything that you are specifically working on this summer?

Ryan: Getting into the paint and creating mid-range shots, floaters, etc.

Jim: Do you feel that you are going to be filling a pure PG role, or will you be playing the role of a shooting guard at times with others getting you the ball to take the shot?

Ryan: I'm going to be playing the pure PG, distributing and all, but I think they are going to be setting up screens on plays for me. We'll just have to see once school starts how that goes. I think we will be doing a lot with creating in the paint and within 15 feet. There should be more of a slashing game, but with an outside game to balance it.

Jim: Do you think there is going to be more of a down low post game?

Ryan: I think that Jon Brockman is going to add in the area of rebounding and in the post game. Mike Jensen already has an outside game, but he'll be asked to do more this year for the inside game.

Jim: How strong do you feel the freshmen big guys are going to be this year?

Ryan: I think Jon is going to make an impact, the other guys I haven't seen

enough in real practice situations to know. I think Artem is a very good athlete. He looks good, but you never can't tell, until they go out and play for awhile.

Jim: What are you looking forward to this year?

Ryan: To finally play. I've been waiting so long. I just want to get wins. I play like I always do and don't worry about the points or assists. I just like to play to get a win, however it works out for me.

Jim: Have you seen Justin Dentmon?

Ryan: Justin has been around this summer. He's a good dribbler, pass first player right now. He's got a good outside game, but he hasn't been doing that much outside shooting when I've played with him.

Jim: How about Harvey Perry Jr., have you got a chance to play with him a bit?

Ryan: He's big and athletic. He jumps and runs well and defends well. He should fit in to the fast breaking style right away. Kind of like Bobby Jones, but a little bit shorter.

Jim: Can you give us any idea about Joe Wohlfinger?

Ryan: I've played with Joe. He's 7' and can shoot. He's got a good basketball IQ, but he needs to get stronger. He plays hard, scraps in the paint and has good skills.

Jim: Have you talked to Zach Johnson?

Ryan: He injured his knee again and will be out for the whole year again.

Jim: Do you think he will come back?

Ryan: He intends to. He wants to get well and play as soon as possible. He might seek a medical red-shirt.

Jim: Is there anybody else that might be walking on that you might have heard about or spoken with?

Ryan: I haven't really heard. I think that there really isn't any room. There just aren't any open lockers left.

Jim: Did you watch the Air Force game?

Ryan: Yea, it was disappointing. My room mate Craig Chambers didn't play much. He caught one pass and looked pretty good, but wasn't in too much.

Jim: I'm surprised that he hasn't been featured this year much. All of the preseason talk was about him and he seems to be a big tough receiver to cover. It was such a close game, it really came down to UW being able to convert on that third down, when Corey Williams dropped the pass that would have enabled UW to work the clock way down. Not going for the field goal in the first half would have been smart, if you have 20/20 hindsight.

Ryan: It was tough to watch, but they'll be good. I hope Craig gets a chance to play more.

It'll be fun to see Ryan at Bank of America Arena this year. I think his outside shooting and ability to create on the run will be very important to this UW team.