Tyquone Greer wouldn’t let a gunshot wound ruin his senior year. And he wouldn’t let the recurring injury cost him his Division I dreams, either.
The Chicago native was shot in the leg in the early hours of March 9, 2014, in the wrong place at the wrong time. The bullet went through his calf. Nine days later, refusing to let his high school career end without being a part of it, he hit the game-winning shot — his only shot of the night — to lift his Orr Academy team to a berth in the Chicago Class 3A final four.
Greer became a national story — he was featured on ESPN — but after the state tournament, his leg wasn’t feeling any better. A piece of the bullet remained, and Greer had to step away from basketball for several months.
The Division I schools recruiting him went away. He failed to qualify academically.
“I had a lot of all-star games and stuff that I had I was unable to get done because of the situation,” the 6-foot-6 forward said in a phone interview.
Instead of letting his life get sidetracked, be one of those inner city cautionary tales of untapped potential, Greer promised himself he wouldn’t let that incident ruin him. While his Division I dream had to be put on hold, it wasn’t forgotten.
He had a strong two-year junior college career at Daytona State in Florida, averaging 12.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and shooting 39 percent from 3-point range this year, paving the way to his recent commitment to Hofstra. Greer’s versatility, the ability to score inside and out, defend multiple positions and create for teammates as well as himself all stood out.
More impressive than Green’s ability was his determination and affable personality. Green was the kind of person others gravitated to, Daytona State coach Ryan Ridder said. He was popular among teammates and fans. He made himself into a strong student, on pace to graduate with a grade point average just under 3.0.
“I’ve been patiently waiting, and it’s finally here,” said Greer, who picked the Pride over Colorado State, Detroit, Florida Gulf Coast and Evansville. “I’ve been waiting to get to that Division I level since I was in high school, since the incident. I had to take another route. I was able to keep pushing and make it to where I want to be.”
At his size, and with his ability to do so many different things, he may remind Hofstra fans of graduating senior Ameen Tanksley. Greer and Ridder watched film of the Pride, and felt the same way.
“If Ty works really hard, he has the chance to help fill that void that will be gone,” Ridder said.
One of Tanksley’s strengths was his toughness, the ability to defend and score against bigger opponents. That sounds a lot like Greer, who has shown that toughness to just get to Hofstra.
“I’ll never give up, even when times get tough,” he said. “I’m able to overcome anything you put in front of me.”
Archbishop Stepinac sophomore guard Aundre Hyatt landed a scholarship offer from Manhattan on Thursday.
St. John’s announced on Tuesday junior forward Christian Jones is leaving the program, either to go pro or transfer for his final year of eligibility. Former St. John’s forward Chris Obekpa, who transferred to UNLV and sat out this past season, is testing the NBA waters.
St. John’s transfer targets Justin Simon (Arizona) and Marvin Clark Jr. (Michigan State), are visiting Oklahoma State and Providence, respectively, this weekend.
Fairleigh Dickinson sophomore guard Marques Townes is transferring from the defending Northeast Conference champions.
North Carolina and Connecticut were at Putnam (Conn.) Science Academy to see highly recruited junior guard Hamidou Diallo of Queens on Thursday.
Hofstra is hosting wing Aleem Ford of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for an official visit this weekend while Iona will have UConn transfer Sam Cassell Jr., Maine transfer Issac Vann and junior college guard Kevin Zabo, previously of San Diego State, on campus.
