​Ryan Conwell couldn’t quite string together a perfect shooting night, but he kept firing anyway, and that effort paid off for the Miami Heat as they kicked off the California Classic with an 88-87 win in San Francisco. The Heat had made it clear from the outset that, as this year’s lone draft choice at No. 37 from Louisville, Conwell’s confidence in his own recovery after a miss—knowing the next attempt could be the one—was a defining trait.
He finished 4 of 12 from the floor, but also contributed 21 points, going 3 of 7 from beyond the arc and 4 of 4 from the line, along with three rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes of play in a 40-minute game. The relentless mindset impressed Wayne Ellington, the assistant coach guiding the summer roster, who saw in Conwell echoes of his own path: a shooter who keeps pulling the trigger through adversity. Ellington noted Conwell’s poise and growth, acknowledging the challenge of joining a summer league amid new teammates, concepts, and a fast pace—and praising how he stayed confident, found his rhythm, and ultimately found himself on the court.
Returning center Vlad Goldin, who finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, also highlighted Conwell’s balance: a fearless scoring approach that doesn’t overdo it and a proclivity for creating opportunities for others. Conwell appreciated the recognition as he navigates summer league life, representing the Heat’s lone draft pick this year and striving to leave a lasting impression.