Topic: Ryan Gomes

Ryan Anthony Gomes (born September 1, 1982, in Waterbury, Connecticut) is an American professional basketball player. He is currently a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. Gomes is of Cape Verdean descent.

Despite a highly successful career as an All-American power forward at Providence College where he also played with prospect Herbert Hill in the Big East Conference, the 6'7" Gomes fell in the 2005 NBA Draft to the late second round. His size and abilities did not fit scouts' prototypical image of either a power forward or a small forward. Celtics' director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, however, felt that Gomes' track record and work ethic were enough to take a chance on the local product with the 50th pick overall.

Wearing number 4, Gomes was expected to play off the bench in his rookie season spelling Celtics star Paul Pierce. His playing time and statistical impact were limited early in the season. However, on January 26, 2006, the Celtics executed a multiplayer trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves that freed up roster space for Gomes to play. Soon after that, fellow Celtic Kendrick Perkins was injured and Gomes was inserted in the starting line-up.