Gone are the long locks, but the boyish expression remains.

Tall, sleek and fit, Ryan Appleby appears ready to take his next shot in life – only this time it isn’t on a basketball floor where he routinely knocked down his wicked, long-range jumper for the University of Washington.

Appleby of Husky hoops lore, the school’s record-breaking sharpshooter, is holding court for a different purpose these days. For the competitive and confident young man, it’s a challenging opportunity in the progressive field of health and fitness.

“I like it a lot,” said Appleby, who recently became a diet, exercise and health consultant at the HCG Wellness Center at Gold’s Gym in Auburn. “It’s always a good job where you can come to work and help change and improve somebody’s life … help them with their health and lifestyle … and help them get their life back on track.”

Appelby’s eyes lit up at the mention of one particular case. A man shed 90 pounds in three months through regular treatments, exercise and maintenance at the center. Other clients have met smaller goals, Appleby points out, but they are no less significant.

From the confines of the clinic, Appleby is prepared to go one-on-one in the fight against fat.

“If the government would let us, we would call it a disease,” Appleby said of the national obesity crisis. “People want a quick fix … but we offer them a program where they can get their lives back. (For some), we’re not here to lose pounds, but to lose fat. We want to make sure they leave here healthier and happier, to get their life back with more self-esteem and confidence.”

About the time Appleby’s basketball career ended, an opening came up at the HCG clinic. Appleby was willing to try something different and put his degree in sports management to work.

“I like this because it has a nutrition side and a business side to it,” Appleby said.

New challenge

At the center, Appleby meets first-time patients, sets up individually-designed programs, and helps manage and market the new clinic. It’s an entirely different assignment, one that he welcomes after realizing he no longer wanted to pursue a career in professional basketball.

After capping a highly decorated three-year career with the Huskies, the 6-foot-3 Appleby was drafted by the Idaho Stampede, a developmental-league team. But Appleby decided to forgo his chance to play, citing the loss of passion that comes along with playing pro sports.

The thrill suddenly was gone for someone who played the game with so much passion, even if he wasn’t the most athletic player on the court. But what Appleby lacked, he compensated for with hard work, hustle and the ability to uncork a deadly 3-point shot, even in the tightest of traffic.

Appleby left as the Huskies’ top marksmen with 231 career 3-point field goals. He is third on the school list for 3-point shooting percentage (.413) and owns three of the top five single-season 3-point performances, including a UW-record 84 his junior year. His nine 3-pointers at Oregon State his senior season remain a school record.

“Part of it was mental. I had the confidence. Every shot I took was going to go in,” Appleby said of his success.

Appleby wanted to try the pro game, even flirted with the idea of playing overseas, but the right situation never came along. Appleby and the pro game just didn’t fit.

So he left it behind – with no regrets.

“It wasn’t as fun anymore,” he said. “And if I don’t love playing the game, I wasn’t going to play it anymore. I just wasn’t going to do that day in and day out.”

Stays in the game

But Appleby still enjoys the game. He remains connected – to many players, former teammates and the UW family. Whenever the call comes, Appleby coaches kids and trains future and current stars. In fact, he has been working closely with another Husky standout, 6-6 senior Quincy Pondexter, as he embarks on a new season.

By doing so, Appleby is passing on his passion for the game to future players. He also will continue his strong support of coach Lorenzo Romar and UW’s rising program.

“(Romar) works so hard. He’s such a player’s coach,” Appleby said. “I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to come there and play for him.”

Appleby helps others today, all in the pursuit of better health. It’s something new, but Appleby is very much a player in the game of good nutrition and weight control.

“You should come and see the look on their faces,” he said of working with clients. “They’ve made changes, and they’re enjoying their lives again.”