Read about the sweet senior who is more than just the basketball player we cheer for. He’s used to being labeled as a Celeb, but it doesn’t mean we can’t highlight him! He’s on the basketball team standing at 6’5, we welcome Ryan Oliver as our next Campus Celebrity. Oliver gives a little bit more about him that we’re dying to know, so sitting down with someone with such a genuine personality and a great attitude was a refreshing and an overall great time. Thanks, Rolly!
Name: Ryan “Rolly” Oliver
Class: 2016
Major: Marketing
Position: Guard
Fun fact: Child Actor.
So what are you looking forward to this upcoming season?
This season, I’m looking forward to playing at Duke and Wisconsin. And also, looking forward to the MAAC Championships being back at Siena, again.
What about this year as a whole?
School? Just having a great senior year in general.
How long have you been playing basketball?
Since I was 5. And when I was 13, my parents told me I either had to do acting or basketball.
So why basketball?
My brother plays it, my whole family does. Everyone’s really into it. So it was an easy choice.
Do you like talking about yourself?
Sometimes, for a good cause. (HC: Define good cause) Spreading “goodness to the world” (laughs).
What is your favorite thing about the team?
How close we are, as a brotherhood.
What would you like Siena to know about you?
I want them to know that I’m a hard-worker and a caring individual.
What is your favorite off court/out of season thing to do?
I’m a big movie person. Going to the movies, watching them. I love movies. And also, collecting shoes.
So what’s your favorite movie?
Right now. Focus. It has Will Smith in it as a professional crook. You should watch it; it half takes place in New Orleans. But basically he’s really good at stealing things. And there’s this girl that he hires for a job, and like, you know, they start liking each other. But he was a rule with after the job is done, they can’t see each other after that. It’s really good. After watching the movie, I got more cautious about my things, though especially when people bump into me.
What is your favorite thing about being on the court?
The atmosphere. Playing at the Times Union Center, our fans, the cheer team, band, dance team being there. The whole atmosphere.
Your inspiration or aspiration in life?
My older brother, just having him to look up to. He was a successful child actor. I was in about 5 commercials. My biggest commercial was an Intel one and it was a cartoon. He was in movies and TV shows and commercials.
Your favorite moment in your basketball career?
Winning the CBI sophomore year at Siena.
What about your funniest moment?
Coach Patsos told me to sub in. And I wasn’t moving fast enough for his “liking”. So he personally escorted me to the score table and the huddle. It’s on YouTube.
And your most embarrassing?
Does it have to be at Siena? (HC: No.) I was 5 years old at the YMCA. My shorts were too big and we were doing jumping jacks. So my pants fell down in front of everybody.
If you could be known for another position, what would it be?
Power forward.
Fav Motto or Quote?
“Never cry, never complain, just work.” –Floyd Mayweather.
Do you think you deserve to be campus celebrity?
I think it just comes with the territory of being on the basketball team.
(If you can find that Intel commercial with Ryan, let us know!)