CLEVELAND, Ohio – I hope he makes it.
That’s what I stored pondering whereas listening to the Cavs first spherical decide Jaylon Tyson at his introductory press convention Thursday.
He’ll make the crew. Because the No. twentieth decide within the 2024 draft, he’ll signal a 4-year, $16 million cope with the primary two seasons assured. That’s a part of the NBA labor settlement.
I hope Tyson makes it by way of being a helpful participant on a crew that needs to be within the playoffs for a number of seasons. That stated, the Cavs aren’t relying on Tyson to be a significant component this season.
“He has a protracted runway,” stated President Koby Altman, which means Tyson has time to develop.
In the meantime, an excited Tyson is speaking about making the NBA All-Rookie crew and being the highest rookie defender.
“I’ll do no matter they need me to do,” stated Tyson, who impressed the Cavs for exhibiting up for his exercise whereas additionally coping with again spasms.
The thriller sport
Altman talked about “brokers taking part in thriller video games” with scheduling prospect exercises. Tyson match as lots of these practices into his schedule as attainable.
“There was no thriller with Jaylon,” stated Altman. “He stated, ‘I’m right here, I’ll present you what I’ve received.’ That makes a powerful impression.”
I requested Tyson: “What number of groups did you’re employed out for?”
“Twelve,” he stated. “Nothing was going to cease me from figuring out (for the Cavs), even when they reduce off my legs.”
Altman was gushing about Tyson, who has a honest and interesting character.
“Jaylon had a dynamic exercise that basically left an impression with us – character sensible and the way he carried out on the court docket,” stated Altman. “He gave us a imaginative and prescient on how we will use him and the way he’s going to raise individuals round him. It wasn’t simply scoring. It was offensive rebounds. It was drive- and-kick (passes). It was getting guys open pictures … and he’s such a high-character particular person.”
How he received right here
The 21-year-old Tyson performed three years at three completely different faculties. It’s the fashionable world of basketball the place not solely gamers leap round, however so do coaches. Tyson referred to as it his “journey.”
A journey certainly …
1. An All-State participant in Texas and ranked No. 34 nationally amongst highschool gamers, Tyson , dedicated to play for Coach Chris Beard at Texas Tech. He by no means formally signed with Texas Tech.
2. Not lengthy after making the verbal dedication to Texas Tech, Tyson noticed Beard go away to turn out to be the top coach at Texas. So Tyson adopted Beard to Texas.
3. Tyson performed little at Texas, after which transferred to Texas Tech in the course of his freshman season.
4. At Texas Tech, coach Mark Adams resigned after making racially insensitive remarks throughout Tyson’s sophomore season.
5. Tyson was one in every of six gamers to switch out of Texas Tech following that turmoil. One in all them was Fardaws Aimaq, who beforehand performed at Utah Valley for coach Mark Madsen.
6. Madsen was employed as California’s new head coach. Aimaq stated Madsen was an important man – precisely what they wanted after all of the turmoil at Texas Tech.
7. Each gamers transferred to California, which had a 3-29 document (2-18 within the PAC-12) the earlier season. Led by Tyson and Aimaq, the Golden Bears have been 13-19 and a decent 9/11 within the PAC 12. That was their most convention victories in seven seasons.
The breakout
A former NBA participant, Madsen noticed professional potential within the 6-foot-6 Tyson. The coach sensed a younger man who wanted encouragement and confidence. Madsen put the ball in Tyson’s fingers. He responded by averaging 19.6 factors, 6.8 rebounds and three.5 assists.
“I knew I had a breakout yr coming,” stated Tyson. “However there’s a distinction between figuring out it and exhibiting it.”
Tyson confirmed lots.
“He’s ok the place we will put him on an NBA court docket proper now if wanted,” stated Altman.
Altman admitted Tyson wasn’t on any prime NBA prospect lists following his sophomore season at Texas Tech. He averaged 11 factors and 6.1 rebounds, capturing 48% from the sphere and 40% on 3-pointers.
“It’s not like we began out (with Tyson) as somebody we needed to see,” stated Altman. “However he stored placing up these numbers. We needed to go see him. We ended up seeing a ton of him in individual.”
The Cavs are all the time searching for “wing gamers,” these tall capturing guards/small forwards is the 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-8 vary. They beloved his fixed effort on the court docket and his upbeat method to his teammates and coaches.
“I’m not a generational participant,” Tyson stated. “I’ve needed to work for every little thing I’ve gotten.”