Tyler Royal: From the Asphalt to the Hardwood

[Loki]

TYLER ROYAL, SF


6'7", 230 lbs.

Background: Tyler Royal is a 6-foot-7 small forward from the Brooklyn-located, Abraham Lincoln High School. Lincoln High is home to many famous alumni including current Minnesota Timberwolves guard, Sebastian Telfair.

Royal's high school career comes to a close being regarded as one of the highest anticipated high school basketball players in the country since Lebron James. Royal started his career at Lincoln High on the bench for his freshman year but made the best of it ever since. Royal averaged 24.2 PPG, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a game, leading his team to a New York State Championship.

His junior year was much of the same. Tyler Royal averaged 25.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 6.7 assists a game. He led his team to the State Championship once more but this time they fell in a heartbreaking effort to Mount Vernon. Redemption would be sweet in this past year for him as a Senior though, as they'd edge Mount Vernon in a 67-63 overtime thriller, to regain their State Championship reign.

Now, Tyler Royal is faced with the decision of which school he will call home. For a year or for four years, we do not know.

Schools Interested
Duke
North Carolina
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Michigan State

[Loki]

National Signing Day Press Conference

The scene opens in a jampacked room as before us sits the high school phenom from Brooklyn, Tyler Royal. Before him rests five hats: Duke University, the University of North Carolina, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Michigan State.

Mediator: Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Let's welcome Mr. Tyler Royal and his mother, Leanna Williams to this press conference.

Cheers and claps are heard as the 6'7" small forward enters the room with his much smaller mother by his side. Both sport a thankful smile as they take their seats.

Tyler: Thank you all for coming out. It's greatly appreciated and to be totally honest, I'm shocked at how many people care about my decision.

More claps and cheers are heard.

Tyler: I've enjoyed my time at Abraham Lincoln High School and am thankful that I got to spend my high school life there. They've taught me so much in life already and that's something I'm going to carry with me forever.

Tyler takes a moment, licking his chops and smiling for the camera, before grabbing his mother's hand and continuing.

Tyler: Now without further adieu, I would like to announce which university I will be attending this upcoming fall and the school I will take my basketball career to.

Tyler scans the hats before him for a moment, smiling as he watches the mass anticipation before him. Then finally, he reaches out and snatches up the Michigan State Spartans hat and places it atop his head. The crowd erupts.

Tyler: Ladies and gentlemen, meet your newest Spartan!

[Loki]

September 23rd, 2007

The NCAA offered me an opportunity to document my collegiate basketball and scholastic career. I had to take the offer. For those that know me, you know I'm the type of dude who gets along with everyone and I like this as an opportunity to reach out and meet some of my fans and show them how thankful I am to have them.

Summer practices have been reckless here in East Lansing but I love the campus. I'm almost positive after a few months here, that there is nothing like life on a college campus. The people, the parties, the atmosphere; it really is amazing. I'm sure it helps to be me, not to be cocky or anything, but this school really cares for its athletes and that's a pretty sweet deal.

It's still awhile before our first game November 13th vs. Chicago State in the CBE Classic. Chicago State is far from the level the Spartans play at but you can never take any team for granted, we don't wanna go down in the first game to Chicago State, let alone any team.

I've been named the starting 2 guard. Raymar Morgan is a Sophomore so I guess he got leniency over me because I'm new. I'm still content with it. I'm a basketball, whether I'm playing the 3 or the 2. Drew Nietzel is a chill dude and he's been teaching me a lot. I'm excited to play on this team with him and the rest of the guys, I really think we have a good shot at going far this season. That should be obvious though, why else would I have chosen them over the likes of Duke, UNC, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh?

I would've liked it if Oden had stuck around another year. I've dreaming of slamming one home right in his face. Guess I'll have to wait till I get to the NBA and who knows, that could be as soon as next year...

That's all for now, I plan on getting much more in-depth with these entries so stay tuned. It's gonna be fun!