Lazenby’s long journey to Oklahoma
On Friday morning, 6’5 Wing, Ty Lazenby committed to the Oklahoma Sooners; ending what was a long road to the Division I level for the former Glencoe standout. Lazenby has endured hurt, sorrow, pain, hard work and much more along his journey to the University of Oklahoma.
“It was a very long journey,” said Lazenby. “But luckily, I never gave up and kept on grinding knowing what I could do. Now the real work starts.”
Small schools have a stigma in Oklahoma, “the basketball isn’t good enough” or “how do you know he can play when he doesn’t play against elite players?” Lazenby silenced any critics he has had over the last two years at NOC Enid Junior College. Under the helm of Greg Shamburg, Lazenby developed into a nightmare for opponents. This season, Lazenby was named a first team All-American in the JUCO ranks. He averaged 22.9 points and 4.7 rebounds last season as a sophomore. He led NOC Enid to the National JUCO tournament this year, but success is not a foreign thing to Lazenby.
Anyone who watched Lazenby in high school at Glencoe, knows winning is just what he does. In his time at Glencoe, Lazenby led them to three State Championships as the leading scorer each year. Coming out of high school Lazenby had a couple of schools on him, but his options were limited.
“Ty has always had confidence and a desire to be successful,” said John Lazenby, Ty’s dad and Glencoe head coach. “After leading us to three state titles, recruiting did not go the way he expected. I could tell he was disappointed, but he would not settle and he decided to go JUCO and work his way to Division I.”
Instead of settling for the initial small offers Ty had, he put in the work on the court and proved to the schools around the country that he could play at a high level against elite competition. Ty gave some advise for small school players.
“I would just say don’t be complacent at being a good small school player,” said Lazenby. “You have to be transparent and see there is better competition and keep working and working, knowing that there are bigger and better players your going have to go against.”
The long winding road of Lazenby’s recruitment has not been an easy one. NOC Enid was the perfect place for Lazenby because he could play close to home, close to his mother Jennifer who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Heading into his sophomore year at NOC Enid, Ty lost his mom Jennifer to breast cancer. The loss was heartbreaking for the Lazenby family. It hit Ty hard. There was a point he didn’t want to play anymore.
“The loss of his mother about broke him,” said John Lazenby. “He decided to play for his mother’s memory. Today a dream was fulfilled and I told Ty that his mother and I were very proud of him. Ty said I wish mom was here and I said she is.”
“It means everything,” said Ty. “I’m just trying to be everything I can be and more to my family to make them proud, and do everything to honor my mom.”
Ty has honored his mother on the basketball court and continues to do so. Now he will take his talents to a Sooners squad, who will look to use his talents right away. Who would have thought two years ago, Lazenby would be in an Oklahoma Sooners jersey. The story of Ty Lazenby is a story of perseverance and hard work through trying times.
UNC Charlotte, Penn State, Utah and Texas Tech were other schools recruiting Ty. Oklahoma has landed a young man who has been on a long journey with the game of basketball. Ty put it best.
“Now it is time to get to work,” said Lazenby.
For more information email Matt@prephoopsoklahoma.com