Tyler Honeycutt is Honoring His Commitment ...
... to his team-mates in Sylmar High School's volleyball team. Great article from the LA Times on how future Ben Ball warrior is a man of his word:
He was named to the Parade magazine All-American basketball team this month, has a scholarship waiting for him at UCLA and could be the key recruit for Coach Ben Howland this fall.
Most teenagers in his situation would be focusing day and night on preparing for his freshman year of collegiate basketball.
Honeycutt lifts weights every day and spends an hour in the gym shooting jump shots by himself, but he refuses to abandon the friends he made on the volleyball team four years ago when he was a no-name freshman.
"I made a commitment," he said.
And so there he is, the top volleyball player at Sylmar and perhaps in the City Section, playing a sport he will probably never compete in again, just so he can help the Spartans win a championship.
It's his way of showing loyalty, and it's a breath of fresh air in an era where standout teenage athletes are always in a hurry to get their first big paycheck or make it to the NBA, the NFL or the major leagues.
The LAT has posted a pretty awesome video of TH playing volleyball:
I imagine that tape might make Al Scates salivate. Although it sounds like TH is totally committed to playing Ben Ball once he gets to Westwood. This is something he has been dreaming about all his life:
He remembers as a 7-year-old standing on a bed at home and telling his mother, "One day, I'm going to play basketball for UCLA."
His dream is coming true, and more important, his character and work ethic are coming through.
Just another reason I am so excited about watchjing next year's edition of Ben Ball warriors with our without Holiday.
GO BRUINS.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
5 recs |
14 comments
Comments
"One day, I'm going to play basketball for UCLA."
I love reading those words.
by freesia39 on Apr 20, 2009 9:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I said the same thing as a little kid
Unfortunately, being 5’9" and really slow (coupled with my poor shooting, etc.), I had to settle for seats in the student section.
Is the vb net lower in HS than college?
by haywood nighttrain on Apr 20, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember having the same dream growing up
Props to TH for making it a reality, I’ll be living vicariously through him as I have so many other Bruin basketball players
by buffsnbruins on Apr 22, 2009 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe
James Keefe played volleyball as well.
I wouldn’t if either of these gentlemen decided to become dual sport athletes. I think it would make you a better all around person/athlete. Not to mention it would only contribute to UCLA’s great Volleyball program. Yet another source of Bruin Pride.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
by MexiBruin on Apr 20, 2009 10:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Bruin Pride looks like Brian Price
and he’s an example of someone that doesn’t necessarily belong on a volleyball court.
by SuperBruinMan on Apr 20, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel bad
… for the OTHER team! They dont look like they even have any 6’ players. That couldnt have been a pretty final score.
by BruinGold82 on Apr 20, 2009 10:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Danny Farmer and Tyler Honeycutt
Need to go enter some 2v2 beach volleyball tourneys.
by CPOBruin on Apr 20, 2009 1:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
People don't realize
how well volleyball skill translate onto the basketball court. Volleyball can really teach a player how to leap vertically, use good footwork, and shuffle your feet to get to the ball. Great to see TH expanding his development and being a stand-up guy
by Sideout11 on Apr 20, 2009 2:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if this is covered by vertical leap
But timing is crucial too, which to me is the another big parallel between the two sports. It remains to be seen if he can handle the physical side of rebounding, but timing his jump shouldn’t be a problem.
by Tydides on Apr 20, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
James Budinger was supposedly
a pretty incredible volleyball player, the two sports go hand in hand in developing muscle in the legs and timing when it comes to jumping
O.A.
by Ollie on Apr 20, 2009 11:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He was the top high school volleyball player in the country
There was some talk of him coming to UCLA and playing both sports at one point during his recruitment.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Apr 20, 2009 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And for us Geezers,
Keith Erickson, one of Coach’s greatest achievers was also a VB player of note.
sjh
by Class of 66 on Apr 21, 2009 3:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And speaking of two-sport basketball players
I believe that Gail Goodrich was the Bruins’ firstbaseman before this guy named Chris Chambliss showed up.
by Fox 71 on Apr 21, 2009 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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