Ryder Wofford was an integral part of Gilmer’s basketball success in recent years, and he is ready to take his skills to the next level.
Wofford, a 2024 GHS graduate, will attend Reinhardt University to play for the Eagles. He also entertained interest from Berry College, Young Harris College and Sewanee University (Tenn.), but he ultimately settled on Reinhardt.
“The only visit I had was to Reinhardt, so I took a day trip down there,” Wofford said. “I made the decision shortly after that. I was introduced to some of the players, and they made me feel really comfortable when I got there. I really enjoyed seeing the campus. It kind of felt like I was at home. After talking with my family and the coach, it seemed like a good fit.
“I’ve been watching college basketball with my Poppa (Michael Wofford) since I was a kid. Over time I fell in love with the game more and more. Playing in college was always the plan.”
Wofford has played in hundreds of basketball games over the years and set his plan in motion as a park and rec player. By sixth grade, he started playing with the Young Guns, a local AAU team. Once in high school, he made his way south and joined the Atlanta Timberwolves. He most recently played for Blue Collar Basketball in Woodstock.
Wofford estimated he played in over 100 combined games per year during the spring and fall seasons and mentioned how it improved his game.
“Sometimes, I’d play a game at 9 a.m. with the Young Guns, and then play with the Timberwolves at 4 p.m. I was just playing a bunch of games,” Wofford said.
“Over time, the game started to slow down. When you’re playing at that high level, the athleticism is through the roof; it’s crazy. Then there’s the size difference. Playing against that competition, you start to see things a little bit more. You have to use your brain instead of using your body physically. It made me smarter as a player.”
Wofford had sharpened his skill set by the time he was called upon at GHS. He was a three-year letterman and a member of three straight state tournament teams. As an upperclassman, Wofford helped the Cats reach a pair of region championship games. During his senior year, the Bobcats won their first-ever region title and did so by defeating archrival Pickens. They downed Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe in the first round of the state tournament.
“It was an incredible experience with these guys, and it makes you appreciate all the tough times and bad practices,” Wofford said. “Over time, they become your brothers ... guys like Jackson (McVey), J.D. (Taylor), Jacob (Becerra), Kohan (Davis) and guys like that who you’ve been playing with since you were 5-years old.
“I remember after winning the region championship there was such a relief. It was frustrating to lose it my junior year. I know having that experience of losing that region championship brought us closer together. You see how passionate people are in the community and realize this isn’t an ordinary thing. This was a special group, and I’m happy with how much we accomplished.”
Wofford was voted to the all-region second team his junior and senior seasons. As a junior, he was there for 12 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and made 32 three pointers. He scored 12.6 points to go with 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game as a senior.
He also joined the football team his senior season and played an instrumental role in the Bobcats’ state playoff win over Adairsville. Facing third down and 30 from their 47-yard line, Wofford hauled in a 44-yard pass. Three plays later, GHS scored the go-ahead touchdown.
“Football was a big growing experience for me,” Wofford said. “I had a meeting with coach (Paul) Standard, and after 30 minutes, he had me head over heels for it. I was all in. On Saturdays me and (quarterback) Issac Rellinger would go run routes. That catch against Adairsville, we practiced that route for 20 minutes multiple Saturdays in a row. I built such a great relationship with coach Standard it made me enjoy things a lot.
“Football made me mature during tough times because you’re out there in the summer, it’s 100 degrees, you got the pads on and he’s screaming at you because you messed up the play five times in a row. It mentally helped me so much. I got a lot stronger, too.”
Wofford will have the opportunity to get stronger over the next year as well.
“My freshman year, I’ll definitely be redshirting just to get stronger and add weight and put muscle on,” he said. “I was pretty young for my grade, and this next year is to physically develop. I got to talk to the coaching staff, and they all seemed like great guys who were looking to better my future in more than just basketball. I’m a student first, and basketball is just there to help me.”
Wofford is just a shade under 6’ 5” and weighs 170. He said he would like to put on 20 pounds during his first year on campus. He expects to play either small forward or shooting guard but is ready to take the court “wherever the team needs me.” He plans to major in sports studies to become a teacher and coach.
“This all started with my Poppa playing h-o-r-s-e in the backyard,” Wofford said. “My biggest influence over the past 12 years has been my uncle Shawn (Wofford). He’s been my go-to, my right-hand man. He’s taken me to almost every single game and to the gym. He’s done unbelievable things for me. My mother (Cassandra Reece) was always there for me and talked to me a lot when things would go wrong. Coach (Jordan) Hice helped me out a lot, too.”
Reinhardt is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and competes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.