Ryan Bush is described as a pretty quiet guy.

He knows it and doesn’t deny it.

But when it comes to the game of basketball, the Berkley High School senior is not afraid to make his intentions known.

Bush not only aspires to help the Bears reach the state finals this season, he also dreams of earning a scholarship to continue his playing career at the next level.

At this point, he is certainly doing his best to make good on both of those goals.

As far as Bush’s immediate priorities, he has played a significant role in helping Berkley jump out to a 6-3 mark overall and 6-2 in the Oakland Activities Association White Division during the 2010-11 campaign.

“Ryan does a little bit of everything on the court,” Berkley head varsity basketball coach David McGlown said. “He’s a great rebounder, a great shooter – just a great all-around player. He brings energy when everybody else is down. He’s just always there.”

Bush headed into Friday’s matchup at Troy averaging 21 points, five rebounds, two steals and one block for the Bears.

'He’s got ice water in his veins'

The 6-foot-1 shooting guard/small forward is the kind of player a coach wants to have the ball when the game is on the line.

“He’s not worried about what’s going on in the stands or on the other team,” McGlown said. “He’s just worried about making the basket. I like to say he’s got ice water in his veins.”

Bush is the kind of player who is diligent about attending practices. He comes early and leaves late. He’s always searching for ways to improve the finer points of his game.

His efforts are noticed – and appreciated – by some of his teammates.

“He works hard,” Berkley senior co-captain Max Unger said. “There’s nobody I’d rather have as a teammate. He’s just a good kid. He’s somebody you like being around.”

Of course, the skills Bush brings to the table make him quite likeable as well. He brings a solid scoring threat, strong rebounding and athleticism to the Bears.

Bush personally decided to try to elevate his game to an even higher level by spending the summer months working out at Athletic Republic – a science-based sports training facility.

Bush traveled from his home in Oak Park to Auburn Hills four days a week for two hours each session, working out with a personal trainer doing plyometrics – exercises designed to develop muscular power – and using specialty equipment, such as an incline treadmill.

Has all that work made a positive impact on the season?

“I think so, yes,” Bush said. “I can tell my legs got stronger, my stamina, everything.”

Playing college hoops is the goal

Bush got his start playing basketball in a recreational league when he was 8. He’s been hooked ever since.

The extra work he's put in is just part of what needs to be done for Bush to reach his goals of winning a state title and going on to play college ball.

What would it mean to earn a scholarship to play basketball somewhere?

“It would mean everything,” said Bush, who’s in his second varsity season. “That’s my dream.”

McGlown said he has received some calls from college recruiters who are interested in Bush. The coach said he can picture Bush playing at a smaller Division I program or for a Division II team next fall.

“Yeah, he’ll get a scholarship to play college ball somewhere,” McGlown said.

Bush, who maintains a 3.1 grade-point average, said he has applied to the University of Detroit Mercy and Oakland University. If he’s unable to fulfill his dream of playing basketball, then he will concentrate on obtaining a degree in physical therapy, he said.

In addition to basketball, Bush is a sprinter and high jumper for the Berkley track and field team in the spring.

Away from the court, he said he enjoys hanging out with his friends and traveling to see other high school and University of Detroit games.

“I’m pretty simple, not too rowdy, very calm,” Bush said. “If I do see something, I will point it out, though.

 “I’m a respectable person, and I’m a good person to get to know.”