Lookin' Sharp, Basketball 2007-08

MAY 22
The Ties That Bind

It was about three years ago, I returned home after one of my basketball adventures overseas. Desperate for a good quality workout, I arranged for a few close friends and relatives to meet me at the University of Penn. Like always, we got it in. But as the workout was coming to an end, my cousin Bernard Tyler leaned over to me and said, “Little Ty got game.” Although I silently took heed, “Little Ty” (our younger cousin) seemed too small and quiet for me to take Bernard serious.
Three years later, “little Ty” has become Tyrone Garland, one of the top sophomores in the East Region, with the potential of becoming a top 5 point guard prospect nationally in the year 2010.
“Over the past few years his game has really taken off, especially mid-season of this year, he gained a lot of confidence, one of his biggest strengths is his poise,” said Bernard.
Bernard should know, considering that he works closely with Ty nearly every day in hopes of building an NBA career.
“Bernard is one of my biggest mentors, along with my mother (Audrey Tyler) and grandmother (Virginia Tyler),” said Garland when speaking of his big cousin.
On the court, Tyrone’s quiet demeanor could be mistaken for lack of fire, but the truth is, Garland is a highly skilled player with the ability to make the game look easy. His smooth stroke makes him a threat anywhere on the floor, and with court vision beyond his years, it’s easy to see how he has received such early praise.
“The one player Ty most reminds me of is Kevin Johnson (formerly of the Phoenix Suns), a point guard who can score,” said Bernard.
After seeing Garland in action, I slightly agree with Bernard, but the one player I more compare his game to is Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks, a combo-guard with the ability to play either backcourt position at a high level.
“Just recently I have been working on resistance training with Ty. We are focusing on improving his speed, quickness and stamina,” Bernard said.
This is bad news for the rest of the Public League, as Ty poises himself to take a young Bartram team to the title next year.
“”We lost 11 seniors last year, but I think we still have a chance,” said Garland.
Tyrone will be in a unfamiliar position next year, a varsity player since his freshman year, he will now be expected to be the veteran influence. This will be a huge step for Tyrone, and quite frankly it could significantly impact how college scouts project him in the future.
“I’m not worried… because of his poise, Ty handles pressure well,” said Tyler.
Bernard, a former point guard himself, is familiar with the pressures of running a team. Once upon a time ago he starred for Overbrook High. The born distributor and defensive pest had a respectable career. He now reflects on his current situation with astute wisdom.
“Now it’s about the future, it’s about knowing when your time is done, and giving back all you can to the game.”
Bernard’s primary job now is the President of the Tyrone Garland Fan Club.
“I am his biggest fan, if he was a stranger I would still love the way he plays the game… he just plays the game the right way” said Bernard, when speaking of his little cousin.
With strong leadership in his corner, the sky is the limit for Tyrone. Bernard has emphasized Ty’s off the court performance just as much as his on the court game.
“Ty is a smart kid and he understands what he has to do… I will also make sure that he doesn’t make some of the same mistakes that I did,” said Bernard.
On any given night if you happen to be on the Main Line, you can catch Bernard at St. Joseph's University putting Ty through the type of individual workouts only meant for NBA studs. Bernard hopes to someday train other young players who want to play on the next level. If his progress with Ty is any indication, Bernard is definitely on the right path.

APRIL 24
Tyreke Evans Shines Again
Even with the greatest basketball player of all-time in the building, Tyreke Evans managed to be the brightest star in attendance. With his silky smooth drives to the basket, pinpoint passing and effortless scoring, Evans once again shined on the biggest stage for high school hoopers. After capturing the MVP in the prestigious Mcdonald’s All-American game just weeks ago, Tyreke was honored with a similar distinction in Jordan’s All-American Classic this past Saturday. With this honor, Tyreke may have cemented his status as the best high school prospect of 2008.
“That’s big winning the MVP for both games,” a humble Evans said. “I just went out here to have fun and play the game the way it’s supposed to be played, and I think I did a good job at it,” said Tyreke.
With the electric Brandon Jennings of Oak Hill Academy leading the opposing team, Tyreke was not short of competition in the game. Jennings, who’s headed to the University of Arizona next fall, pleased the Madison Square Garden crowd with dazzling passing and blinding speed. Although listed at only 6’0”, Jennings had an array of dunks in the game and consistently played above the rim. But Evans would not be undone, in the end, his team took the game, and he took all the honors.
“I just wanted to pass the rock (basketball) and get my teammates involved, you know, the commentators were getting on me a little bit,” Tyreke said while smiling.
Next fall Tyreke will be attending Memphis University, and along with that comes the unenviable task of filling the point guard vacancy left by probable lottery pick, Derrick Rose.
“I just want to get there and do whatever coach Calipari needs me to do, because I know he can make me a better player, said Tyreke.
When asked if he could lead the Tigers back to the Final Four Evans said, “Definitely. I’m already out here trying to recruit a few players, we need all the players we can get, but I definitely think we can get back.”
Confidence and talent are common in today’s athletes, but humility is not. Tyreke possesses all these qualities and hopefully the glare of big time NCAA hoops doesn’t go to his head. Because if not, he could very well follow in the footsteps of Derrick Rose - one phenomenal freshman year, followed by NBA employment.
“It all depends how much hard work I put in. Hopefully when I go down there it will show, but if I put the hard work in I think I will need maybe one or two years, but like I said, nothing will be done without hard work.”
Words to live by.

MARCH 28
What Recruiters Really Want
Most ball players already know that there are several different levels of college basketball; from “Juco” (Junior College) to Big-time Division I. The type of talent to perform on each level is quite different. However, there are certain qualities that any player must have if they hope to compete on any level of college basketball.
Every year recruiters are bombarded with scouting information on talented players all over the world. Because the amount of college hopefuls has increased so significantly, recruiting the right player into their program has become somewhat of a science for college scouts. Often the best coaches are the best recruiters. Being a young player you must understand that it is your job to separate yourself from the pack.
Players are sometimes lured into a false sense of security or become “Bigheaded” when they receive their first letter of interest from a college program.
Yes, opening your first official letter is an exciting experience, but don’t be fooled. The same letter you received today, a different player will receive tomorrow. So you must remain steady while developing the key skills needed (on and off the court) to attract interest from the college of your dreams.
All College recruiters agree! A player's character and how they conduct themselves off the court is a good indication of how they will represent a college program over a four-year period of time.
Every year college coaches are awarded a fixed budget to recruit and ultimately offer scholarship money to incoming recruits. During this process, coaches must report and justify every dollar spent, all the way down to the cost for road tolls. Do you think a coach (who wants to keep his job) will go through this level of scrutiny only to end up with a knucklehead in his program? I think not.
Occasionally, you may find coaches willing to take a risk on an extremely talented, yet troubled player. But this type of risk is rare. In most cases, a problem child is simply overlooked and is left to wonder why a lesser player is experiencing the magnificence of college basketball, while he suffers the obscurity of the playgrounds.
Don’t be a statistic! Build your character off the court, to make yourself a better prospect on the court.

TYREKE EVANS, NBA OR BUST?
With the boom of the internet, the world has become a much smaller place. Today, it is realistic to think that anything newsworthy that happens in any corner of the world, within minutes can be aired across the globe for all to see. With so many eyes watching, sometimes it seems that there is no place to hide. But if your first name is Tyreke, and your last name is Evans, hiding has never been an option.
Since grade school his game has been scrutinized by the keenest of NBA eyes. The results have been mesmerizing. Imagine being donned an NBA Lottery Pick before you could even legally drive, vote or have a drink at your local watering hole. This is reality for Tyreke Evans.
Under such scrutiny most normal folks may fold, shy away from the spotlight, but not Mr. Evans. With each passing year he has added a new tool to his repertoire. His blinding first step is now accompanied with a solid jumpshot and NBA frame. At a legit 6’5” he can play both guard positions effectively if not incredibly. At times the game looks too easy for him, to the point he almost looks bored.
But the huge question now is, will his game transfer to the next level? Can he dominate much bigger and stronger opponents with such regularity?
If I were a fortune teller, not only would I be a rich man, but I’d also be able to answer those questions. The truth is, no one really knows what Tyreke will do on the big stage. At best, the most talented NBA scout could only provide an educated guest. Because at this point for Tyreke, the growth in his game will all now be mental.
As natives of the Philadelphia area, we are no strangers to having the most celebrated recruits in the Nation. From Wilt Chamberlain, to Kobe Bryant, we have seen our share of all-time greats. And as basketball gurus we know that what separated these guys from the rest of the pack was not their physical greatness, but it was their undeniable desire to be great. Without it, even the most gifted athlete can sink into the abyss of mediocrity. For proof, we have to look no further than our own Eddie Griffin (R.I.P.).
But so far, Tyreke appears to have an unbelievable upside. He has a strong support circle around him; therefore he should be able to avoid most of the off-the-court pitfalls that have plagued so many modern day athletes. If this is the case, there is no stopping the Evans wagon. He is riding on a full tank of gas and has plenty of money for tolls. All aboard, next stop, NBA Draft Day!

JAN. 7
DEVELOPING YOUNG TALENT
The entire basketball world seems to agree...
The fundamentals of American Basketball players have declined.
Many experts believe that this is the reason why the rest of the world appears to be catching up with us and becoming tougher competition (see the Olympics). It is also their opinion that "Old School" players had better overall skills than the players today because of a superior grasp of the team concept. Yes, modern players are more impressive athletes, but they rely too much on individual athleticism.
Well, in my opinion, to a certain extent, this is true. If you watch carefully, the NBA has become more of an isolation, one-on-one type of game. In the past, NBA games were more like track meets, constant screening and cutting with relentless ball movement until an open man was found. Not so in today's game.
However, if you're a fan of the modern game you can make the argument that players of the past had to rely on each other much more. They clearly were not the physical specimens you see in the game today. Often, "Old School" players lacked the individual talent to beat defenders one-on-one.
Whatever your opinion is, it is never a bad idea to appreciate the fundamentals of the game. A good coach values a player who always seems to make the right pass, or a player who knows when to take and make the big shot. Ultimately, if you strive for perfection in the basic skills of the game (i.e. passing, shooting, rebounding and defense) the rest of your game will naturally shine.