In the absence of Chris Gaston, Fordham has gotten production from an unlikely source.
When Gaston went down with a knee injury last month, the Rams’ frontcourt looked to be a weakness, but with the emergence of Ryan Canty, Fordham has weathered the storm.
Canty, who had his breakout game last month against Manhattan, has been one of the few bright spots for a Fordham team that is struggling to find its way this season. With his 15-point, 16-rebound effort against St. John’s last night, Canty recorded his first double-double and has scored in double figures for four straight games.
“Ryan Canty’s been playing well,” Fordham head coach Tom Pecora said. “He had a good game tonight. He’s young and energetic.”
The 6’9 sophomore from Massachusetts has worked his way into the starting lineup because of the career-high 18 points and four blocks he had in the Rams’ 65-58 loss to Manhattan on Nov. 29. Prior to that contest, Canty had scored just 10 points on the season and had only one block.
“Ryan Canty’s been a very pleasant surprise,” Pecora said. “Obviously he’s a big, physical kid with a lot of tools.”
While Canty has been a surprise this season, he does have the pedigree to be a successful college hoops player.
“His mom and dad both played at Providence,” Pecora said. “His grandfather was a great player at Harvard, so he’s got great bloodlines.”
All of that considered, Canty is still very raw. A physical presence and sometimes quick to anger, Canty has fouled out of three contests this season, including the Manhattan game and two of his three starts this season.
With 14:25 left in last night’s contest against St. John’s, Canty committed a hard foul on the Red Storm’s JaKarr Sampson. While Canty was not given a flagrant or ejected, flashes such as that remind those watching just how much he has to learn.
“We have to grow up in different ways, become more mature,” Pecora said.
Canty even exchanged words with an official, which could put his status for next Saturday’s game against Princeton at the Barclays Center in jeopardy.
“I’m a little upset with the way he interacted with the officials, so I’m debating whether he’ll play next Saturday or not,” Pecora said. “We’re not going to have that. We’re not going to tolerate that kind of stuff.”
Fordham should get Gaston back next week, creating a bit of a logjam at the forward position. Gaston, the team’s only senior and a preseason All A-10 player, is certain to start if healthy, meaning there will be less minutes for the trio of Canty and freshmen Ryan Rhoomes and Travion Leonard.
One thing is certain, on a team that has been giving opportunities to players in Gaston’s absence, Canty is seizing the moment and interjecting life into Fordham.
“He’s fun to coach,” Pecora said. “He’s interesting, he asks some interesting questions. He’s a free spirit.”
asulla-heffinger@nypost.com