Ryan Zambie ’20 has played for the Lebanon National Team. Photo by Jessie Goodwin/The Choate News
Although Ryan Zambie ’20 joined campus just last fall, as a post-graduate, he has already made an immense impact on Boys’ Varsity Basketball. Zambie leads the team in assists and typically guards the opposing team’s best player on defense. Additionally, not only has Zambie excelled as the team’s starting point guard and captain, but he also brings international basketball experience to Choate after playing on the Lebanon National Team. Recently, he sat down with reporter Naomi Fleisch ’22 to discuss how he got into basketball, his experience with the Lebanon National team, and his aspirations for this season and his career.
Naomi Fleisch: How old were you when you started playing basketball?
Ryan Zambie: I can’t even remember, to be honest. I’ve been playing ever since I was little. My dad and mom both got me into basketball. I actually played all kinds of sports growing up, but going into high school, I chose to just focus on playing basketball.
NF: Do you have a favorite professional basketball player?
RZ: LeBron James, no doubt. He’s a great role model for me because he also gives back to his community a lot. I remember he has a school for younger kids. Being the best athlete in the world, in my opinion, and still being a great person is something that I can look up to, for sure.
NF: Why did you decide to do a PG year at Choate?
RZ: Mainly for basketball reasons. I wanted to further my recruitment and take another year to get bigger, faster, and stronger. At the same time, I wanted to mature in a different way: maybe figure out what I wanted to major in academically. I think my decision is definitely paying off.
NF: When and how did you qualify for a spot on the Lebanon National team?
RZ: That process was really weird, actually, because I was visiting my grandparents in Lebanon, which I do often in the summer. I was just playing basketball, and someone saw me and invited me to try out for the team. At the time of the tryouts, I was sixteen, and I got a spot. Ever since [the team] been taking me to tournaments across the world, and I’m hoping to go back to [more tournaments] soon.
NF: Will you continue to play with the team in college?
RZ: Yes, I’m hoping to continue to play for them. My next step would be trying out for the Senior National Team, which they’ve already asked me to do. With school, it’s pretty hard to find time for everything, but I will probably try out and practice with the team over summer break.
NF: What takeaways do you have from playing at such a high level?
RZ: From all of my time playing basketball, I’ve learned that you get back what you put in. I can take that lesson with me in school and in all sports. In class, if I study, I will do well on the test, and in basketball, if I work hard during practice, I will play well in the game. Basketball instilled that work ethic in me.
NF: Do you see basketball as a potential career, either playing or as a coach?
RZ: I’d love to play basketball as long as possible, so if there are opportunities to do so that would be awesome. Overseas, there is a lot more professionally than the NBA. I’d love to play in Lebanon professionally for a couple of years after college.
NF: What goals or aspirations do you have for the rest of the season?
RZ: As a team, I really want to see if we can grab a playoff spot. We’re in the mix right now, but it’s going to be a tough road. For me personally, I want to continue to grow as a leader.
