STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford's Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men's Basketball, Jerod Haase, has announced the signing of nationally-ranked prospects Keenan Fitzmorris and Cormac Ryan to a National Letter of Intent.
"In Cormac and Keenan, we have two guys that fit perfectly into our program culturally," Haase said. "This class addresses several needs; they epitomize our recruiting philosophy as their length, versatility and overall skill level is exceptional. We've added two players with a high basketball I.Q., a great work ethic and a level of mental and physical toughness."
Welcome to the family, Cormac.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/FUVKYzpfn7
— Stanford Men's Hoops (@StanfordMBB) November 8, 2017
A consensus four star prospect, Ryan is regarded as one of the best at his position nationally. The 6-5 point guard is ranked No. 43 nationally by ESPN's recruiting services, 60th nationally by 247Sports and 76th nationally by Rivals in the 2018 class. Considered one of the top shooters in the 2018 class, he is rated the sixth-best shooting guard by ESPN.
Ryan averaged 19.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists, shooting better than 40 percent from three-point range as a junior for Milton Academy during the 2016-17 season. Ryan, who also led the team in blocks and charges drawn, was voted the 2017 New England Preparatory School Athletic Council All-New England Class A Co-Player of the Year after leading the Mustangs to an appearance in the semifinals of the NEPSAC playoffs last season. A two-time NEPSAC All-New England selection at Milton, he is considered one of the top shooters in the 2018 class.
The New York, New York, native began his high school career at Collegiate Prep in New York City, before moving to Milton Academy as a sophomore. Ryan is a consensus top-three prospect out of New York in the 2018 class, rated No. 2 in the state by ESPN and No. 3 by 247sports. He played for the NY Rens on the AAU circuit this past season, where he averaged nearly 20.0 ppg.
"Cormac is extremely versatile," Haase said. "He is a strong leader, who is a long and lean guard with exceptional ball skills and a big time shooter. At 6-5, he uses his length well on both ends of the court. Cormac's toughness is off the charts, he is a guy who wants the ball in key situations down the stretch."
Welcome to the family, Keenan.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/FyEsK70Jyk
— Stanford Men's Hoops (@StanfordMBB) November 8, 2017
Fitzmorris, a four-star prospect, is regarded as one the top centers in the 2018 class and one of the top prospects in Kansas. Standing seven-feet, he is ranked 15th at his position and the second-best prospect in the state of Kansas in the class by 247Sports. The Rivals150 prospect was a standout in the post for St. James Academy in Lenexa, Kansas, the past three seasons, leading the Thunder to the sub-state championship game last year. Fitzmorris is playing his senior season at New Hampton School in New Hampshire, where he will face his future teammate, Cormac, in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council.
He averaged nearly 10 points and a block per game playing for the AAU program KC Run GMC this past summer. The post player averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game as a sophomore at St. James Academy.
He joins his sister, Audriana, at Stanford. Audriana is in her sophomore season with the Cardinal women's volleyball team after earning All-America honors in helping Stanford capture the 2016 NCAA championship.
"Keenan is a seven footer with a huge upside," Haase said. "I believe he is just scratching the surface of the type of college player we'll see from him. He is extremely skilled for his size, a very capable three-point shooter with exceptional ball skills. Defensively, he is a rim protector. He continues to develop with a high ceiling."
Fitamorris and Ryan will enroll at Stanford next summer and compete for the Cardinal beginning with the 2018-19 season.