Despite Talented Teammates, Lynch Distinguishes

Ron Bailey, Publisher

With a 6'8", 230lb frame, and expanding skill set, Tyrell Lynch has the tools to become a big time college player.

July 13, 2006 – Sometimes when evaluating high school players, you come across a student-athlete who plays with outstanding, highly regarded teammates, but constantly makes his own impression. Having competed with the likes of Paul Harris and Jonny Flynn, in high school and for the GC Ballers AAU/travel team, yet always finding a way to distinguish himself, Tyrell Lynch is that type of player.

The 6’8” 230lb Lynch is by no means unknown to colleges, as he shared during the Gibbons Tournament of Champions, “Right now it’s looking like Kansas State, Charlotte, Providence, and Rhode Island” are interested. More are sure to follow.

This young guy with designs on playing “three (small forward) and face up four (power forward)” in the future is a native son of Niagara Falls, NY, as are Harris and Flynn. Given that, Tyrell has embraced that town’s hoops ethos. “That’s (basketball) just a way out” he shared. “Everybody tries to get a college scholarship…There are not that many opportunities around there, so we use basketball as a way out”.

In typical ‘The Falls’ fashion, Lynch plays hard, approaches the game unselfishly, and over the course of a year, has put in work to expand his game. Last spring and summer, offensively Lynch was a rim punisher who would occasionally spot up for jump shots. In anticipation of college ball, Tyrell indicated “I need to work on ball handling and my mid-range jumper” which will allow him to “work my way out to the perimeter”.

At the Tournament of Champions, Tyrell showed the fruits of his work, as he posted defenders, popped mid-range jumpers, and pounded the rim off one or two dribbles. Though scoring a modest nine points in GC Baller’s impressive 81-61 victory over Triple Threat, that game stood as an example of Lynch’s expanded skill set: Tyrell not only scored, but passed, rebounded, and defended.

Lynch, a junior, plans to complete his classroom and hoops development at prep school next year. Despite sharing averages of “18 (points) and 13 (rebounds) for Niagara Falls High School, and being instrumental in that school’s state-runner up season (they won the New York title the year before), Tyrell thinks a prep school experience will be beneficial.

According to his coach with the GC Ballers, Jeff Bishop, Notre Dame Prep will be his destination. After a year in prep school, and the aforementioned skill development he has embraced, he too may be considered a top talent at the collegiate level.

GC Ballers’ Bishop agrees, though this longtime Western New York hoops coach known for demanding much of his players noted, “He’s improved a lot, but has a long way to go”. All indications are that Lynch is up for the challenge.

Check back with i95Ballerz.com for updates on Tyrell. He will eventually be on the top of the curve.