One-On-One With Thomas Lyles

When it’s all said and done, some experts suggest a Saskatoon-born baller may be the best power forward that ever dons the Canadian National jersey. Tristan Thompson and Anthony Bennett included. Trey Lyles a senior in HS south of the border is garnering interest from HIGH majors in the NCAA ranks. As of today, the 6’11 Canadian big man has trimmed his college offer list to four schools. National Champion Louisville Cardinals, Kentucky Wildcats, Florida Gators and last but not least the Butler Bulldogs.

Speaking from Camby, Indiana, father of Trey, Thomas Lyles (who played basketball at Kentucky, and professionally in the NBA) spoke with Mark Bairos quite frankly about the whirlwind college recruitment process and also shed light on Trey the person as well as basketball player.

HHC: Your son is building a demand back home, many readers and hoop heads are always asking about his growth and the status of his recruitment process.

Unfortunately the only updates we get are from Kentucky circles, so on behalf of our One Canadian Basketball Family your willingness to field are call is greatly appreciated.

TL: Thank you guys for reaching out and even showing interest in his development and his growth.

HHC: Our pleasure. Can you comment on the consensus of all the programs in the Trey Lyles sweepstakes?

TL: Everything is neck and neck. It’s down to four schools. Florida, Butler, Louisville & Kentucky. Each program has expressed superior interest what they can do for Trey and what Trey can offer them. With the fact that things are very new as to going through this whole process…it’s been quite a eye opening experience to say the very least.

HHC: Despite losing its long serving coach Brad Stevens, its reported new Butler coach Brad Miller has a history of recruiting Trey, true or false?

TL: One of the first coaches to ever recruit Trey was Brad Miller who happened to be at Ohio State as an assistant coach under Thad Motta. He was actually heading up the recruitment of Trey at that time. So we have not a strong relationship but were not strangers to one another.

HHC: Rumours took America by storm about a potential tandem or “package deals” involving his friends. We were kind of like well what about Trey Lyles & Chris Egi the Canadian tandem both offered by Florida. Was that something Trey and yourself have ever given some thought?

TL: No. Trey understands at the end of the day this is a individual journey… I talked to him about it numerous times… strictly an individual journey and it is about what’s best for that player, that family, that situation. So when we talk about it we’re really just trying to weigh options about the pros and the cons. Is this going to be a good situation for you? Play immediately as a freshman? Play through your mistakes? Are you going to grow there as a person not just as a basketball player but as a person?

HHC: Any official visits planned with the four schools left in the Trey sweepstakes?

TL:  As of right now the first visit will be to Louisville, it’s actually going to take place at the end of this month. After it hasn’t been confirmed … but we are trying to get down to Florida pretty soon. Nothing confirmed just in conversation.

Final four programs in the fold.

HHC: How about reports that Trey will visit Kentucky during Big Blue Madness?

TL: Yes, we will be there thats the plan.

HHC: How does a program’s history producing NBA talent play a role in recruitment? For example since 2004 Florida produced a NCAA high 11 players drafted in the NBA standing 6’9 or taller or the fact Kentucky has a knack for producing one & done’s?

TL:  I try to tell Trey not to get caught up in the hype of the NBA… Each situation is so different. It’s all about your (the player) approach, how prepared you are, how focused you are , how much work you are willing to put in. That’s how I’m trying to get him to look at. Every school out there at some point in time has put out a NBA player.

HHC: Ironically you also attended Kentucky; does that play to their advantage?

TL:  Attended Kentucky a very short while, Kentucky wasn’t the best choice for me. But just because it wasnt the place for me it has nothing to do with where Trey goes or what’s best for him. If it’s the best situation for him then I will do my best to make sure he gets that opportunity.

HHC: X’s and O’s, what do you think makes Trey so highly touted?

TL: Trey is kind of a unique player because he is borderline 6’11 and 255lbs, but he’s a point forward. There’s not many guys that size that can bring all those things to the table… he can play 1 through 5.

Pau Gasol (left). Trey Lyles (center) along side his favourite player Kobe Bryant (right).

HHC: Is Trey both an elite baller and scholar?

TL: As of right now Trey’s GPA is a 3.98. An ‘A’ student. So when Trey goes to his first day of college he will walk on that campus with 9-10 college credit hours that will transfer to any college in the country that he decides to go to. He will have a half a semester already done.

HHC: Trey the youngest siblings of four, any sibling or parent who instilled that education first mentality in Trey from a young age?

TL:  His Mother and Tanika (older sister) a senior in college. When it comes to the grades Tamika deserves all of the accolades. She set the bar for her brother. One day he came to me and his mom and he said I want to get grades like my sister. We said hey this is what you have to do and he’s done it. But she set the bar because she’s in college and she’s never received a grade less than a 4.0.

HHC: Moving forward with Trey’s recruitment process. What’s next also is it true that your adamant on playing out the whole senior year before Trey makes a decision?

TL: My thing is now it’s not about the dog and pony show, now it’s about coming in, sitting down and we have to talk about subjects, particulars. There is chance at that (making an early decision) I just don’t want him to make an emotional reply because this is it. Last time you get to choose where you get to play. I want him to really think it out. Make sure he knows without a doubt this is the program, this is the system, this is the coach, this is the city that I want to go and be in for however long he will be there.

HHC: This past summer Trey participated in the FIBA U19 World Championships for Canada. Very impressive showing may I add. Trey averaged a near 20 points and 10 rebounds. Is representing Canada high on Trey’s priority list?

TL: Great honour for him to represent Canada, you have no idea how big that was for him. Was such a thrill for him to represent Canada. Some relationships he established and within a very short period of time. Man, these are lifelong relationships.

At the same time it opened doors for him to showcase his talents to his native land, that otherwise people probably would not have until that day that if he’s fortunate to get drafted they would’ve found out at that time. He loves it; I mean the kid almost sports his maple leaf jersey every day. I’m not joking.

HHC: How about yourself? Considering your American (Trey’s Mother is Canadian) was it bittersweet?

TL:  I’m being honest I’m not even joking. I am so proud of him, that he understands and that he’s taken such pride in being a Canadian. Sporting his gear, not only sporting it but wearing it with his shoulders back and his head straight up, which to me says that he’s very proud.

What a Interview. Most was music to the ears of Canadians. Trey’s father explained how proud Trey is to represent the Maple Leaf. Yet coast to coast many Canadian hoop heads are as proud or prouder to have both an elite ball player and person like Trey Lyles in the fold. For the record Trey was 6 years old when his family moved to Indiana from Saskatoon. Born in Saskatoon, raised in Indiana and if all goes well Trey will toss it up for Canada for years to come. Special Thanks to Thomas Lyles for accommodating our request on behalf of Trey.

Now let the Trey Lyles sweepstakes continue…