Not Even D2
Ty Nichols - Keene State's All-Time Leading Scorer talks We Are D3, Keene St. Success, Overseas Career + More
Welcome back to another episode of not even D2. The podcast covering all the narratives that matter in college sports. We interviews with those involved or previously involved with college sports. If you're watching on YouTube, make sure to hit that subscribe button. If you're listening on any other platform, make sure to hit that follow button. Also go follow our socials on Instagram and X and not even D2 for more college sport content. You guys definitely appreciate what we got going on on our socials and we appreciate all the support. But on today's episode, we have Ty Nichols. Ty Nichols, currently the King State all-time leading scorer, had a great career at King State and currently plays overseas in Slovakia and just finished the season where he averaged over 20 points in the Czech Republic, made some history in that league as well. So I mean, just by that, you can tell that Ty is a great basketball player. And what I like more about Ty is he's an even better guy. Like you guys can tell just through this interview, like the vibe us three had just in this interview was was high, but also just hanging around Ty and guys like Mark in the hotel going on walks with them in Ohio. It was definitely a good trip and we enjoyed being around those guys at the We Are D3 tournament. Here in every crazy thing that Ty got to say, I mean, I can say so many things what Ty was saying, but we'll keep that off air. And there's a lot to talk about with Ty. He's had an interesting career. So I'll let you talk about what you guys say about Ty. So the first thing that I think is most interesting about Ty, he's a funny guy, you know, like I think he keeps everything light, which I think is always good for like team morale, especially when it comes to like those tournaments where you don't really know each other like that. And you're putting teams together at the last second, they don't really get to practice. But I'm pretty sure he said this in a conversation to us like he doesn't take much serious. Now that may come off as a negative thing, but I think the most interesting thing about it is when it comes game time, like when he steps in the court, he's a hooper. I said to him, he's a gamer, right? Like he always come to play. It's all business when he steps in the court. He's locked in. So I think that's what like young players can kind of take away from him and like see that, right? And I think the second thing that I find most interesting about him, you know, he's a D3 guy that's, you know, playing in one of the best leagues outside of the NBA/G League, right? He's playing in the Euro Cup and the Champions League with that team in Slovakia. So like he's putting on for D3 and he's in the position that a lot of D3 guys wish that they were in. And he started his journey with playing pro started in the midst with COVID just like Eric Demers too. So it's kind of interesting how like they kind of battled through all that, all that perseverance and made it to where they are now. Yeah, I mean, you hit it on the head, mentioned in like Tyza Gamer and not to say like anything bad about Ty, but I wasn't really familiar with his name. I mean, yeah, I watched this film before the TV tournament just to learn more about the team and stuff. When I watched the practice, it was like, like you got, you were there a little bit earlier than me and you were like, yo, Ty's OD, like he's tough. And when I was watching my practice, I was like, I'm not, I'm not really seeing it. Like obviously he's a good player. He's the all-time lead scorer at King State, but I wasn't like overly impressed. And then Coach Hastings actually said to us like on the sideline, he was like, Ty was probably the worst practice player I've ever seen in my career. And it's true, like, this is not, he said it in the episode, like I've never taken practice seriously. But when he gets on the court, like he's taking tough shots, like pull up threes, step back threes, getting to the cup, shooting over footers and the paint, he can score that all three levels. And Ty grinds, like every day he's in the gym, you can see it on his Instagram or he said like, the reason why he kept getting better at King State is he was just on the gun every day. And you can only respect something like that. But also what we should talk about with Ty is, every stop that he's been at, he's just won. And you can say like, oh, his team has been, have been good or, you know, this happened, that happened. But two-time state champs, Putnam and Western Mass. And then he goes to King State, he wins the LEC two years, his first two years in college. And now he just made history, bringing his team the first other championship and Czech Republic league history. Those like everywhere he's gone, he's made that program a dominant in that league. So you can't take anything away from someone doing that while scoring a ton of points. And another reason why he's always been a winner is he's a great leader. And we saw this firsthand, like he'll go on the huddle and instead of co-draniac talk and it's like, where's Ty, like what does he have to say? How is he going to lift somebody up or a foul happens and Ty's bringing everybody together or a young player makes a mistake and Ty pulls him over like, yo, relax, like you're good. Like try this next time. So when you have a player, a veteran at that, that taking you under their wing, it allows you to be that much better of a player to get that mentorship and that vision from somebody who bent through it all. And I mean, I've a little bit more to say about Ty, but I mean, I just want a little rant. So if you want to add anything, you can't. Now, everything you said was 100% right. I mean, when you think about Ty, you think about hard work, like just like you said, you hit it on the head with that. Like his first year at King State, he made under 10 threes. He went eight for 24, 33% from the field, right? His last year, he made 69 threes and he shot 44% from the field, which is crazy. And that's a crazy increase, right? So that means like if you're a freshman coming in on a team, like, and let's say shooting is your one thing you lack, like there's ways to get better at it, right? And Ty's a perfect example of that. Another thing that I kind of find interesting about him, when we talk about like the D three to D one, right, conversation, I think Ty has to be like one of those guys that you think of, like, he is a he's a true pro, right? Like this, like, I was having a conversation about like the D three to D one thing with this one kid, Isaiah, he plays that Clark. And he mentioned Ty, he was like, I've never seen one player stay in front of Ty Nichols, right? So it's, it's kind of funny, like the, you know, the, you know, how people know him just as being a bucket, but talking more about his King State career, like he played four years at King State, right? And his last year at King, he averaged 27 a game on 50% shooting. That is crazy, bro. Those are crazy numbers for any, for any player division one division two division three. And like, when we think about how COVID kind of changed the transfer portal for all levels, like Ty's one of those guys where it's like, if he had the fifth year, he could have probably played at a mid to high major hit mid to high major level, right? Or when how D three to D one, as we come in more and more popular today, what would have, what would have been like if it was more popular, you know, seven years ago, when he was playing. So it's just an interesting conversation with Ty. And it was a great episode, like you said, bro, the vibes were high, especially in person. I'm excited for everyone to watch this. Not yet. Definitely like what you just said. And the final thing that I want to mention about Ty is he has a chip on his shoulder. Like oftentimes, when we have people on the podcast that went division three, they talk about their recruitment process like, yeah, I thought I was division one, or I could have went division one by decided like, I wanted to stay division three and kill the tie. Like he was struggling to get division three works. And that's after winning two state championships and having good years in high school, he still wasn't being highly recruited. So that's one chip on his shoulder. And then he actually talks about this, like, just being division three, that's a chip on his shoulder in itself. And he carries that to this day. So when he sees a division one dart against him, like he was playing against Eric Washington, who played high major division one on heartfire. And it was like, no, I'm trying to go at this guy, like he can't check me. He was playing against Kevin Mack wanted to stay stopped in front of him. And then it's like, no, you can get work too. You went to Clemson and Bama, not it's still up for you. So like you said, anybody who's that's in front of Ty, like no glaze or anything, but he's a cup that can score on them. And I mean, we talk about a lot with Ty, you know, what where he got the scoring back from, what it was like leading King State to to NCAA tournament appearances, a little bit about those runs. And then finally, some of his goals, you know, he's a older dad playing overseas, what goes he has, he said something crazy about the goals he has the next few years. So let's see from Ty. And yo, Ty, you definitely better get going on this deal we made or else you're going to be only $50. So let's hear from Ty. And yeah, so real quick, real quick before we ended, before we ended, I got a quick question, I got a quick question for all the King State guys watching, and they could either put it in the comments or text one of us individually. The team, what team is better, the team that made it to the Elite Eight, like Ty's team, or the team that won like 15 games in a row that me and Jeff talk about, I think it was the 20, I think the year was 2022, 2023 for the team I'm talking about. And for Ty, I think it was the 2017 year, if I'm not mistaken, where they went to the Elite Eight. Oh yeah, it was there because that was the year that Babson won. So what team is better? And I'm really interested to hear what the King State guys say because both teams are loaded with talent. So just a conversation that we got to start. I like that. So let's hear from Ty. Alright, we're here with Ty Nichols. How are you doing today, my guy? Good, how y'all? Channeling, bro. Channeling, bro. We've been playing this for a couple of days now. Appreciate you doing this. So this episode is going to be released after we're all together at the TBT, but I'm just kind of curious, like what's the most mentally challenging part about playing in like basketball tournament? I would just say staying a lot then the whole time you're in the tournament, I'm saying because sometimes you get a win like how we got yesterday. You know, we were happy, you celebrate it. But then sometimes you guys just got a lot back in because you played the next day or the day after next. So it's like staying mentally locked. I don't know how to be the artist thing. Other than that, it's basketball. They're playing basketball a little life. So I mean, you should be used to playing in front of crowds or playing in front of nobody that used to do math and stuff like that. But mentally, it's probably the biggest aspect of the ZBC. Do you think like, because I remember you saying you were talking about something about the fouls, you were just like, they got to stop calling these fouls, man, street ball. You know what I'm saying? So is that kind of like an adjustments from you from like the pro game to playing in like these like cash tournaments or stuff like that? Yeah, so coming out of college, I have played in my first money tournament and I kind of got used to how pros play in the physicality of the street game. And then, you know, I just kind of, you know, went through the phases of my life and I finally found the contract and I went to go see how real pros play the game. And then I come back, you know, in the summer, you guys see on Instagram and everything, I play in these money tournaments all the time. So, you know, the only difference between those and the TBT is, TBT is kind of more. I wouldn't say there's better players because you'll see some of the same TBT players playing in terms that I plan. I would say it's just more organized as far as the business side goes. But other than that, the same level, pro level talent, you're playing for money and obviously you're playing for a bigger sum in the TBT. So that could be added pressure onto you. But other than that, I mean, the street tournaments help me when it comes to these TBT tournaments. And like you said, about the fouls, you know, the rest don't let you play it a couple of times. But then when it's late in a game like that, you can't, you can't cost certain things. I mean, he's got to let the players play. But you know, Russ don't do their job. Everybody's just trying to get a better job out of the TBT. So word. So I want to like go back to your childhood. You're from Springfield, Massachusetts, and you and your mom had like this interview I was watching on YouTube. And you were kind of talking about this childhood. And I heard some things you were in the inner city of Springfield. So there's those type of interactions like drugs, murder, you actually lost your father at a young age, rest in peace to him. And you spent some time in shelters just you and your mom. So just talk a little about your childhood and kind of how that impacted you as a person today. Yes. So growing up, my mom had seven kids. I was eight. So I got five brothers and two sisters. I'm the youngest. And then I lost my dad when I was four. Yeah, I got hit by a car. And then, you know, from there, my mom just basically had to raise all of us by herself. You know, she had to help. She had to find jobs, stuff like that. And then basically, yeah, you were staying in shelters. You know, some of my older siblings were going to stay with my high uncles and then just beat me and my mom and stay in the shelter. One time, we slept under the bridge. There's like a whole article I grew up about it and everything. So yeah, it was rough growing up. You know, my mom got us through it. It's why I love her. And yeah, man, growing up without a dad is tough, especially when you're growing up with five other boys. You know what I'm saying? You don't want a mom to raise all your boys. So, you know, growing up without a dad was definitely tough, but you know, we made it through, you know, we're here now. Like, so any of your siblings have like the biggest impact on you. Just like, you know, as a role model and what not growing up. Yeah, 100%. My brother Mark, he's a track and field athlete. He has like, you know, most of the records in our city or whatever, but he wasn't waiting to mainly do that. Looked up too, because my other brothers are in the streets. I got one other brother that's in the military, but you know, other than that, they're doing negative things. So I never want to look up to them, you know. But again, Mark, for sure, you can't be focused. You can't be in this boring world. You know, it's like, whenever I need to go, so I'm going to get definitely shot up to him. How did you kind of balance or how do you have those conversations with your brothers? Because you just said it's a negative thing. How like straight up are you doing something that's not good for you? And how did you kind of stay out the way knowing like you're focused on the basketball? Yeah, I mean, you know, they're your siblings, so they're going to respect your decision. Being around him, I kind of just try to stay around him wherever you go. And then just growing up with my friends, they also play sports. I kind of, you know, kept me focused, but other than that means it got to be smart. You got to make the right decision in life, but fortunately for me, I was able to do it. So just reading a little bit about you, bro, you were a two time state champ and a three time Western, Western mass champ. So first thing I'm wondering, you've seen a lot of Hooper's just like playing basketball for a long time. I know you played in Shoe City. You play in tournaments and like Lowell and whatnot. Do you think mass got some of like the best Hooper's just around, you know, Northeast or even in the States? I was here in the last 10 years for sure. You know, we got a couple NBA players that come out and have successful careers in NBA. You know, we got a couple young guys who are trying to make the right decision right now and then do the same thing if the older guys does so. I mean, I would say for sure, we're top 10, you know, more of a football type of type of state I just said, but yeah, as far as last, well, I would say the last 10 years for sure. So you went to Putnam, right? Yeah. One of your teammates, I was reading the Zell right. You guys went to putnam together and he went on like the last 38 games. He was 38, you know, you guys won two state champs and he was also a really good player. He ended up committing to King State. So I was just wondering, like, was that part of the influence and you committing to King State and just talk about the Zell in your relationship? The Zell's my god, man. We still talk to this day. Yeah, I mean, he was just athletic. You know, he was small, but he probably had the most bounce on our team. He was physically strong. So, you know, he was a solid player for us. And then as far as going to King, like I said, like I told you guys off here. I ain't really after me. It's coming out of the high school. So it was either King, Fitch Burger, Rhode Island College. I just kind of, you know, narrowed it down to King because the coach bag I hired there, Ryan King, I'm still friends with his day. So shout out to him as well. But yeah, that's kind of why I went there. And the Zell played a little role in it, although he didn't take basketball as serious as I was. I wanted him to, but yeah, he played a role in it. I'm going to get a shout out to him for sure. Talk a little bit about your relationship with coach Kane. I mean, Jeff, Jeff talks highly of coaching. They said he talks like every day. And a lot of people just talk highly about him and his character. So just talk a little bit about that. He got hired at King. He was still young. You know what I'm saying? He was pretty much fresh off of playing. He was the all-time leading scorer at WPI. So he kind of could relate in that aspect, as far as basketball. But not that, not to get, you know what I'm saying? I got you. I got you. But yeah, as far as basketball, we could relate to him. He was just an easy guy to talk to, you know what I mean? He sat everybody on the team, sat down with him before he got hired. And then, you know, from there, we just took off. We had very successful years. And I don't know when I was at King. So the interview that I was talking about earlier with your mom, she was actually talking about coach Kane and saying that like when, and he was saying when you were younger, like early in college, you weren't the easiest person to kind of coach. So just talk about your early years and how your demeanor has changed. Yeah, I got a funny story about that actually. My first game ever in a King State uniform, I was late to the bus. The bus left me. I had to wait for an assistant coach to come back and give me. So I showed up to the game about one hour before it started. And, you know what I mean? Obviously, I deserved it. But the other than that, man, it came-- No, wait, wait, wait. So nothing's changed, though, because you'd be walking into the TBT practices. Today wasn't my fault. But I mean, I'm not even going to talk about it. But yeah, man, I'm not going to lie. I'm a horrible practice player. Horrible practice person. Gamer, though. Yeah, I just-- I like to show up and play, man. That's just what I do. I don't really take practice too seriously. I have never took practice too seriously since high school. So I mean, fortunately for me, I was able to make it as far as I made it so far. You know, shout out to God as well, because you know, you can't really do much without him. So, you know, I mean, as far as-- as far as Kane goes, man, he's probably the best that I've ever met in my life. You know what I'm saying? He looks out for me. I was behind in college on financial aid. And he looked out for me for that. Yeah. He did things like that for me. So, you know what I mean? Shout out to him. No, I worry. That's-- you don't really see that from a lot of coaches nowadays, bro. And that's real. And, you know, talking a little bit more about your freshman year, you said this yourself. So I'm not-- so I'm not pulling this out of nowhere. But you were like-- I was asked back in high school. And I don't know if I'm believing that because you were a two-time state champ and Western Mass champ. But one thing I noticed, you only-- you shot less than-- you had your lowest attempts from threes, your freshman year. And I'm wondering, now I'm seeing you, like, watching the TBT games, like, you're pulling-- you're shooting pull-up threes or, you know, just making difficult shots from the threes. So, was that something that you just added to your bag as you got older? Yeah. So, like I told you, I started playing basketball. I didn't really start playing. So, it's 10th grade. So, I kind of didn't get the angle bit. So, it just took me a little bit. But then, the high school I went to, we just-- it wasn't mainly-- it wasn't ice all ball. It was just about press the whole game, get steals. You know, I was athletic. I was young, so I had energy. You know what I'm saying? So, I just did that. And that kind of worked out for us. And then, yeah, we had went 25-0 my junior year. And we went 24-1. Yeah, 24-1 my sophomore year. In my senior year, I lost five games. So, I lost six games all high school and, you know, what I was shooting threes. And I get to college my freshman year. I still-- I'm still playing the same way, you know, defense, trying to get steals, going to ball that way. And then, I stayed up at school for the summer. I didn't come home. And Kane had ordered a shooting gun. And that just kind of changed the way I played the game, the shooting gun. I just got 500 makes a day every day in the summer. There was nothing else to do. And Kane in the future. No, there's nothing to do. So, I'm just in the gym all day with the shooting gun. That definitely changed my game, for sure. Without that, I probably still be the same. I probably be dumb playing, to be honest. It's a-- because I feel like sometimes when you-- and this is maybe-- maybe I'm bugging. But I feel like sometimes when you look at, like, top scorers, sometimes, like, people will look at them and be like, oh, you know, maybe the one thing that's holding them back is like, they're not as good as a defender, right? But you're saying that you're saying now that, like, you started how you made your way onto the college basketball scene by playing defense. So, I find that just kind of interesting that you're able to be like a two-way player. For sure. Yeah, growing up, like I said, I had energy. I was young, athletic, or whatever. So, you know, I just wanted to play. I wanted to start a ball as much as I could. So, I played defense. I mean, everybody around me played defense. Like I said, we would press the whole game. So, that kind of got me by my high school career. And, yeah, just work for us, man. Defense is the most crucial part of basketball. You can score as many points as you want, but if you can't stop the other team, someone's going to outscore someone. I mean, yeah, defense is definitely crucial. And then just going through the years, going through college, the program. So, I just kind of slacked off a little bit. A little bit, not too much. But, yeah, I still play defense when needed for sure. So, another thing I'm kind of wondering is, you said, like, you had a few game winners in your high school career, and then you're doing this in college. And now, like, on the VRD3 team, what is it about you that just likes, like, grew to mention you're a gamer? What is it about you that just always appreciates that big team? I just think playing with that chip on my shoulder, you know, coming from a Division III program, we're always overlooked. So, it's like, you just always have that chip on your shoulder, whether you think you deserve something or not, you always got it right there. So, you got to play like that at all times. And, you know, late in the game, pressure moments, you know, I kind of got comfortable with having a ball in my hands. You know, and some of the guys on the team, I've never met before, but, you know, through social media and Instagram clips, they've seen that I'm able to handle late game situations, so they trust me with it. And, yeah, man, it's just amazing. When you do make this shot, it's amazing. Everybody's happy for you. Boy, you miss. Nobody's, you know what I'm saying? Nobody. So, you guys kind of balance it out, but, yeah, at the end of the day, man, I'll always take the last shot. I love it. I love the pressure. You know what I'm saying? It's funny you say that because I remember, I think, I forget the year, man, but it was when, it was when the heat lost to the Celtics and the, and when they went to the finals, I think it was in 2022, from my mistake, when they played the Warriors, but Jimmy Butler had a chance to shoot a three at the end. It was a pull-up three, and he missed it, but everyone in the Miami side, they weren't mad at it. They weren't mad at it because it's like, if you have a chance to get your best player, a shot at the end, make or miss, you're going to, you're going to live with that shot, you know? And, like, for example, we played, we, you guys scrimmaged dating a couple of days before the game, and you did have a chance to, to knock that down. It literally went inside, inside the rim and out. I'm not jagged. I'm like, you're here, right? But, you literally had a shot, but, like, no one was, like, tight. Like, oh, yo, why you take that shot? It was just like, nah, we're going to live with that, bro. That was a good-ass look, and sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't, so. So, last question before we go to break, you know, just one thing I wonder about looking at that same tournament, you guys played Babson that same, that same year, just later in the tournament. I believe it was an elite eight, if I'm not mistaken, and Babson ended up winning the National Championship that year, and it was kind of like a, you know, one-sided game, but you had a good game yourself. So, just talk about, like, your mindset, that game, and also, did you expect that Babson was going to end up winning the naddy after that? Yeah, that was a crazy season. The year before we went to the 3-16, my freshman year, we had lost Christopher Newport, and then my sophomore year, we played them again, and the 3-16, we had beat them. You know, we were just on a run, made a run at the right time, got hyped at the right time, and I'm thinking, whoever wins this game against Babson is going to go into a national championship. So, you know, we were playing a guy, I don't know if you remember Joey Flannery. Yeah, he was about to learn to be at the time, like, 24, 2,500 points. So, with a tough task, we were in their gym, they packed it out, probably had, like, 50 fans there for us. I mean, it was a tough environment to play in, bro, but, I mean, yeah, like you said, it was a one-sided game, they were more mature than us, you know, I was only a sophomore, you know, they just played better that day, but that's the great experience that gets to the lead-eight, you know, not many kids even get to make a tough tournament, but it was on the lead-eight. So, I mean, a good experience, but I would say I didn't see Babson winning that championship, because there was a team, I want to say their name was Whitman or something like that, with one of those teams out there in Nevada, and they were undefeated. Oh, sure. Yeah, and that's the team that Babson had beat in the national championship that year. Okay. They were either undefeated or they had one loss, but I thought they were going to win. Yeah. They were championship, were sure. But, I like the Babson. Well, he job. Right. I don't fuck with Babson. Yeah, even though we beat them in the first round tournament, my sophomore year, and it was, you know, I mean, they're a good program, but, yeah, we definitely, I was definitely happy to get that win, bro. So, thank you for doing that. Got his give back for, bro. But stay with us, we're going to take a break and talk about you being the all-time leader and scoring, and King State history. So, we're back. It's a little quick thing, man, looking at your, looking at your scoring averages on a year-to-year basis. You improved every year, your year's at King, right? Your scoring averages. And you talked about how you stayed up there for one summer and got your shot right. And, you know, I said, I think I said at the beginning of the episode, like I'm already knowing that you played in those like outdoor tournaments and stuff like that. So, just talk about your process and how you really got better in the off seasons. Yeah, like I said, when my freshman year, I came in, we kind of had a great roster at the time, so I was kind of past first point of guard, scoring when I came, steals, and stuff like that. And then I stayed up there for that, so I'm like, I told you, I just changed the way I played a game. I think I went from 12.8 to 18, something like that. And then, yeah, from there, I just got more comfortable. You know, we all obviously lost 16 years going into my junior year. Yeah, six of them. So, I just had to take a bigger role. And, you know, obviously, we didn't bring in the best freshman. So, I just had to, you know, do what I could to get my team some wins. And, fortunately for me, I was able to score some points. But you're, like, actually a really crafty guard and someone who doesn't believe in, like, weightlifting or something like that, is you really have to have, be able to score all three levels, have it on the string, all of that. So, who are some of the players that, when you were growing up, that you were watching, like, I want my game to mire him or some of the moves you were taking, talk to me about that. My favorite player to watch growing up was Jamal Crawford. Easily. You know, you're just so shifty. He's skinny like me. Probably has, like, two or three inches on me, though. But just watching the way that he gets his shots off, he gets to his spots. He's not really worried about the defense. You know, just kind of, I just kind of wanted to take some things from his game and add it to mind. Like I said, when I was able to, you know, get on the shooting gun and improve my form and improve my jump shot, it just kind of made me, you know, try to play like him a little bit more. You know, and another guy obviously looked up to with Alan Iverson, you know, as much as other kids do. But, you know, I have a post on my wall at home. I've had, since I was, like, six of them. So, I mean, he's one of my notes in my top five for show. So, him and Jamal Crawford were two of the guys that I just tried to model my game after, you know, a steamy type guard that doesn't play point guard. And, you know, I mean, you know, fortunately for me, I was able to, you know, kind of take some things from Jamal Crawford, just kind of try to get around bigger defenders and stuff like that. You got to kind of use different things. So, I mean, yeah, Jamal Crawford, Alan, they were sent for show. We're going to talk more about your Keene State career. But one thing I'm just quick thought, watching their game against Sweet Home, Alabama, you know, you're coming off screens and you're putting defend on your in jail and like you're surveying, you know, what's in front of you. And sometimes you're taking a little shot or you're throwing a lob or dishing out in the corner. So, you kind of playing with a little bit of patience. And, you know, without really knowing, you know, all your film from your four-year career, how do you think you kind of developed that type of poise in your game? Or you feel like you've always had that? To a certain extent, I kind of always had that. I would kind of speed myself up in college a lot, create turnovers for myself. But just playing against pros and, you know, seeing how guys move at their own place and play at their own speed, I just kind of like picked up on it. You know, I mean, you just got to kind of go through it to pick up on it. So, I mean, just playing a big against the guys that like just street tournaments, you know, that you see guys who are pro, who played in the MDA before played high level division one. They'll come back to these street tournaments and you expect it to be fast-paced, fast-paced, but they're playing at their own speed still. Just because that's how that's how they were groomed, you know, playing against other pro athletes. So, that's kind of what I do. I mean, you know, just kind of kind of go through it sometimes, you know, play at your own speed. Can't get, can't get sped up. So, now that you're finished with your career at King State, what is it like for you seeing guys like Jeff, Octavio, continue that dominance? Like you said, you made the tournament, your freshman and sophomore year at Keenan. Now they're on a they're on a 3P and looking for more. So, what is that like for you? Just do you support or do not support, but do you still like go to the games to watch their games like that? Just talk about it. If I could fly from here, but I definitely would go to some games. But yeah, I mean, I obviously know the guys, you know, I watch some of the games when I can't overseas. I'm at a time difference, though, about six hours ahead of everybody. So, sometimes I'll stay up if it's a big game and watch it. But yeah, shout out to those guys, man. They're going for the first 4P in Keenan State history. So, that's huge. You know, they brought in a new coach this year, so it's going to make it more special if they can do it for him this first year. And, yeah, Octavio is obviously a killer. You know, he's a really good player. I think he was trying to move up he won this year. But, I'm mistaken. Yeah, I think he was looking around. Okay. Okay. Okay. Yes. I mean, he's a very high level division 3 player, you know what I mean? And Jeff, obviously, is one of the best players in Keenan State history. So, they had a good nucleus. You know, they returned a couple guys this year, etc. I hope they make, I hope they win the 4P, but at the same time, you know, you can't take anything lightly, you can't take anything for granted. So, he's got the team to work. Word. One thing that I was kind of noticing as well as in the TBT practices, now that Jeff's on the team, it seems like I don't want to say this, but you're almost like his big bro. So, do you ever like talk to them? And what are those relationships like being like the big bro? You know, just kind of, I mean, you know, I'm the big bro. Nah, you're a little bro in here, bro. I mean, but not seriously. Yeah, I mean, playing with Jeff is, it's like a, kind of like a dream come true, you know what I mean? Two of the best players in the history of your school program that doesn't happen often, that you get to play on a pro level tournament with you, you know what I mean? So, it's kind of special in that regard. Other than that, yeah, I'll get into them, you know, I'll try to teach them things here and there. And he's teaching me things as well, you know, I can still learn a lot of things about the game of basketball. So, they were just kind of, you know, feeding off each other. I'm just trying to get him used to playing high level basketball being, becoming a professional, you know what I mean? So, you know, in the game, I don't even know if you guys seen it. His first play, when he got in the game, he had gave up a rebound. Not the first one, the other, like 100%. You know, you just can't have that if you want to play professionally, you want to make money playing with the game you love. You can't do things like that. You got to do what you're great at. He's great at revounding. You can't give up a rebound to this person. I got him, so, you know what I mean? So, I mean, he took it, you know, as a professional would take it and he said, "All right, I got you." And that was it. But, you know, I'm on Jeff as much as I can, for sure. I was going to say, because I think I showed you a clip of you guys in the huddle. And you and Jeff were sitting at each other and like, you pat them on the back of the head and you were like, said something like, "You're good, you're good," or something like that. So, I see that, you know, like, love you probably have for him, you know what I'm saying? And like, you're saying, it is special to play with a guy that are probably the two. You guys are probably the two best Keen State players of all time. So, to play like you said on a, you know, pro tournament like this is crazy. You know, I want to circle back about, because we haven't really talked about this, I want to circle back about your Keen career and you're the all-time leading scorer in Keen State history. So, just walk us through like that year that you broke it, if that was something on your radar, and just, you know, your emotions wouldn't happen, man. So, after my junior year, I was standing at like, 1,500, I want to say. And then I was thinking about transferring to the school in our state UMass. I knew the coach over there, he's going to allow me to walk on and try to earn a scholarship. But I just kind of wanted to break that record. You know, it wasn't broken for I want to say four years going into it, going into that season. So, I just kind of wanted to do that for myself. And I kind of knew that, you know, I would be able to play professionally after because that's time with the agent midway through my senior year. So, he was kind of talking me through it. He's like, you know, just staying in school, you know, staying at Keen, break the record. I'll try to find a new job after. I was more comfortable. And then, yeah, that season just, it was, it was amazing. I was just scoring at a rapid pace. 27 again. Yeah, it was ridiculous, bro. And then my team just kept feeding me the ball. I'm like, all right, I'm going to keep shooting. So, I mean, yeah, man, that season was special. You know, it isn't in the way I wanted it to end, but, you know, I broke a lot of records that year and I'm so grateful that I was able to do that for sure. Do you remember anything about like that last point or anything? I took a step back from the corner. I think it was. I always remember my buckets for sure. I took a step back from the corner and then, you know, my teammates mind me and whatever, you know, you know, I know. Yeah. Now, that remembers every cup. We were watching film. I was showing them highlights and he was like, oh, yeah, yeah, I remember this. Like, so I respect that. But, um, you mentioned that you had an agent and now you're playing professionally and you played in the Czech Republic. You average just like, what, over 30 a game this this past year? This past year? No, it was 20.1, but I scored a thousand. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's what you scored a ton of points, but it's a long season in Europe. So, just talk about like that season, what you have to go through day-to-day and a little more about your season. It's kind of like, you know, when you go to Europe, as long as you don't get homesick, I feel like you'll be able to make it through that eighth or ten-month span. That's like the biggest thing missing your people from back home. And obviously, you're going to miss people here and there, but you got to understand it's your job. You know, you're getting paid to do what you love and you're able to travel with it. So, it's like, you know, you can't really complain about that. You know, and a lot of things people don't know about overseas basketball as your money's not, it's not taxed, so you're getting everything. You can bring it back or you can transfer however you want to do it, but it's not taxed. The team's paying for your house, your car. So, it's like, you're not really spending nothing. So, it's like, why would you pass that up just because you missed your friend from back home? You know what I'm saying? So, it's like the biggest thing about playing overseas is, like I said, the mental aspect, you know, it just can't be homesick and I feel like you'll make it through. And then the season, as far as the season checks up, it's a very good league. You know, they got Champions League teams, Europe Cup teams, you know, teams that play in these international competitions, and I'm able to play against them. Um, I was over there for about two and a half years and I played in the chip both years and in this past year was very special because the team I played on they never had a medal like getting more than silver, bronze, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, so first copy, first medal for the team in their history and you know it was a special season. Um, the teammates trust me again, you know, I found the ball in my hands a lot and I was able to put up some points. So like looking at just looking at the timeline of your professional career too. Um, COVID net COVID hit like in the middle of like your pretty much your journey or pretty much at the start of your professional journey. So what was that like just like that type of roadblock, you know, to your dreams. And I covered was a crazy time. This is my first year and I had struggled to find a deal coming out of college, even though I had signed with age early. So I got to Europe about two months late when I was able to play over there for about five. And then COVID had came. I'm like, damn, if I struggle to get this deal, COVID just hit. Now everyone's gonna struggle to get it. Now I'm the last on the list, you know what I'm saying. But I just kept the faith. I stayed in the gym. You know, I had fired that agent, got a new agent and then from there it's just been, it's been good for me. I've been able to find deals pretty much in the countries that I've been wanting to play on. So far. Yeah. Appreciate it. So now you're like getting older. I'm not sure what your goals are with like getting a wife, getting married, stuff like that. But how much do you think... I'm trying to dig in my personal life. My fault, my fault. I mean, we did start with like the most serious shit. But how much of that goes into your thought process on where you want to play, like where would my kids grow up? Where am I going to meet my wife? I do want to have a kid within the next year for sure. I just feel like having a kid be able to travel the world with you and see these things early in life. It just makes it gives them a better life. I just feel like because I wasn't able to do certain things. I want to provide my kid with, you know, certain things. So what, definitely while I'm still playing and traveling in Europe, I would definitely like to have a kid. As far as the wife part goes, I don't know about that. I'm against marriage. Me too, bro. Talk to me. Thank you, bro. I've been saying that. Yeah, man. Definitely the care part because I want my kid to experience all this. I want to see all this. Even if you might not remember it, you know, it's just good to have them there and pictures and stuff like that. So, yeah, for sure. I mean, bro, that... I love that you said that, bro, because just, you know, as, you know, young minority kids just don't really get to travel like that. You know what I'm saying? Like, and we're going to talk about this later, like your advice, and KJ has a question about that. But I just love that sentiment, you know what I'm saying? Because I've said this in our, you know, one of our other episodes. I've never been, you know, outside of the Northeast, really. I've only been to Puerto Rico as where I'm from. But outside of that, I've never really traveled the world like that. And that's something I want to do. So for you to be traveling the world right now and then want to bring someone to bring a child in the world for them to see that, I respect you big time for that, bro. So, kind of to wrap things up, we talked earlier, you were, like, brought up in the inner city, a ton of distractions. You've been through a lot of adversity throughout your early stages of life, your career, even today. So what advice would you have for kids dealing, like, growing up with those societal pressures, distractions, gangs, stuff like that. And especially minority kids, what advice would you have for them? There's only two things that come out of being in the streets, you know, it's jail or death, you know what I'm saying? Pick one. You know what I'm saying? So it's like, if you want to go to jail, you want to die, or you want to have a successful sporting career. And it doesn't have to be sports, you know, kids, minorities can do a lot of different things. I would just say staying level-headed man and just being mentally strong and just making the right decision, man. I mean, some kids, obviously, they go through things and they just can't change the circumstances around them. But I mean, for the most part, I feel like everybody, you know, they have a decision to make, and they can make it on their own. Some people are peer pressured into other decisions, so I mean, it's got to be mentally strong, man. I stay level-headed. Yeah, and I definitely like that, like, at some point, it's on you to make your own decision. Alright, so this is not really a rapid-fire question, but I'm just wondering this. You said this to me, you were like, "I don't take non-serious, bro, I just joke around, you know what I'm saying?" So explain where you kind of got that mindset from. My brother was, one of my brothers was a jokester. Okay. So I just kind of... But you kind of took a book around? He's hating. Yeah. My brother was a jokester, and I just kind of got it from him. And like I said, I mean, you're out for damn near nine or ten months, and I try to come back to this place and be serious, every idea of being out there. Yeah. So how do you do it with my side camera show? Alright. Alright, next rapid-fire question. During your time at Kean, who was someone outside of, like, anyone involved with the basketball team or athletics that had, like, a big impact on you? Outside of Kean? Mm-hmm. My mom, for sure. Oh, like, I'm saying outside of a, like, basketball. Oh, yeah. Like, anyone at Kean State that helped you? It still shot on my Duke. Yeah, for sure. For sure. For sure. I don't know, bro. I had, actually, I had one professor at Kean, and he was like, "If you want to leave class above your game right now, go ahead." And he was, he said, "Listen, you ain't got to try to class no more. If you got a game that day, don't win a class." So I'll shout out to him. I forget his name, though. No bullshit. All right, and then last rapid fire question. I guess you can name more than one if you want, but who are some players in Division 3 that you were like, "Damn, okay." Like, they, they really like that, like, they're tough. That's what you want Joey Flannery. Mm-hmm. So tough to guard. Six, five, guard. Division 3. You don't get him? Try to. He got the best of the game. Um, him, there was a card at our Christopher Newport. You get Marcus Carter. Mm-hmm. So he was tough. He was tough. He was really good. Um, who else did I play? Carlos Gonzalez from Eastern. He's a really good point guard. Um, I would say the best division to be clear I'll probably play. There's a point guard at Amherst at the time we beat them in the tournament. I forget his name. Something Dawson. Okay. He's probably the best division to be played off. Like, just so professional. He had, like, a professional field to his game. So I mean, yeah, of those four, for sure. So this is kind of, like, off track a little bit from Rapid Fire, but quick thought that I wanted you to speak on. Um, you're obviously playing pro for the last couple years now, and you're playing these money tournaments. And obviously, like, we are D3, and, like, we know that Division 3 has a lot of go-hoopers, but just talk about what you've seen from Division 3 in terms of, you know, other levels and the skill level, and, you know, now playing overseas. I will see much between Division 3 and Division 1, the size size. You know what I'm saying? It's about 6, 6, center in Division 3. You have a 7-foot in the college. But as far as guard play goes, I feel like guards can play with guards. You know what I'm saying? It's basketball. Anything can happen at any time. So, I definitely feel like the guards in Division 3 can play at any level. It's just about getting exposure, getting their foot in the door to work. Nah, yeah. And, like, the best division, 'cause collectively, like, the size is a problem, or, but when I'm watching you guys play against, like, Sweet Home Alabama, they had a roster full of Division 1 kids. And in each position, I was like, "I like us in that situation." So, it's really, like, starting to become more of a thing. People are starting to see it. But we got in this episode, we're starting a 5-edition. So, if you're a coach, so I'm going to line up. 1-5, who's your line up going to be? And this edition is going to be the craftiest, or, like, something unique about their game. So, 1-5, who you got? And just tell me a little about this player and where they hooked at, what was so good about it. As far as what, like, NBA, college, what are you doing? Like, anything bad. Yeah, just... I'm going to go NBA right now. I'm going to put a Bobo like the 5. Bro, thank you. Yo, why is he not playing? He's different, bro. Why is he not playing more like this? He was winning before winning. Thank you. Thank you. But, yeah. I'm going to go Bobo like the 5, for sure. This is going to shock a lot of people like before. Don't make it. Don't make it. I'm not jacking down. Not jacking down. But, talk to me anyway. But think about it, bro. When Bobo went down, put him at the 5 in the 4. And if you run a 2-3 zone, you're good. You're good. I thought you were good. But, at the 3, it gets a little weirder. Jonathan Isaac. No, no. That's a good pick. That's a good pick. 6. I feel like he's the best defender in the league. That's a good pick. 100%. But, again, it's lame. 7 feet. But him at the top of his zone. We've got money. 2. Jamal Crawford for sure. And then we don't have him at the 1. I got the way out. A.I. That line of his touch. He's going to go crazy. A.I. don't die. We're about nothing. You got 3-8 putters down there. Come on. But, like a shooting team might blick y'all out. You think so? You can switch everything. But, yeah. Run the zone or what you mean. Now we're going wheel a man. You can switch everything. You got to settle for this. You know what you're going to settle for this. What are we doing? I just like that. But, appreciate you joining us, bro. We definitely appreciate you joining on the pause. Been a good episode. And, looking forward to seeing what you do in the future. And, hopefully, Pop-Tie. Dad-Tie comes out in the next year. The next year, man. The next year, man. For sure. If I don't have a kid in the next year, I'll give KJ video. We're locked. We're locked. We're locked. We appreciate you. And, good luck with the game tomorrow, bro. Appreciate it, guys. Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Not Even D2. If you haven't already, make sure to go follow all the socials at Not Even D2. You can catch every episode on Apple Podcasts. Spotify, YouTube, or every list in your podcast. I'm your host, KJ Allison, and I'll see you next episode. [♪♪]