T. J. Holyfield Explained

T. J. Holyfield
Number:22
Position:Power forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:8
Weight Lb:225
League:B.League
Team:Passlab Yamagata Wyverns
Nationality:American
Birth Date:22 September 1995
High School:
College:
Draft Year:2020
Career Start:2020
Years1:2020–2021
Team1:Kauhajoki Karhu
Years2:2021–2023
Team2:EWE Baskets Oldenburg
Years3:2023–present
Team3:Passlab Yamagata Wyverns
Highlights:
  • Second-team All-Southland (2017)
  • Southland All-Defensive Team (2018)

T. J. Holyfield (born September 22, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for Passlab Yamagata Wyverns of the B.League. He played college basketball for Stephen F. Austin and Texas Tech.

Early life and high school career

Holyfield attended Manzano High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He did a postgraduate year at Elev8 Sports Institute in Florida and signed with Stephen F. Austin.[1]

College career

Holyfield, a 6inchesft8inchesin (ftin) power forward, averaged 7.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.5 blocks per game as a freshman. As a sophomore, he averaged 11.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.[2] He was named to the Second Team All-Southland Conference.[3] On November 18, 2017, he scored a career-high 25 points and had nine rebounds and five steals in a 118–64 win against Howard Payne University.[4] Holyfield averaged 12.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a junior while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. He was named to the Third Team All-Southland as well as the All-Defensive Team.[5] Holyfield earned MVP honors of the 2018 Southland Conference men's basketball tournament.[1] Holyfield helped the Lumberjacks reach the NCAA tournament before losing to Texas Tech 70–60 in the first round with Holyfield contributing 10 points and four rebounds. He redshirted the 2018–19 season with a shoulder injury, and spent the season giving a speech at his church, wrapping Christmas presents for under-privileged children and visiting children in Belfast.[6]

After the season, Holyfield decided to transfer to Texas Tech, choosing the Red Raiders over Kansas, Oregon, Illinois and Miami (FL).[7] He had 15 points and six rebounds in the season-opening victory over Eastern Illinois, followed by 20 points and had six rebounds in a win over Bethune–Cookman.[8] Holyfield was named Big 12 newcomer of the week on November 11, 2019. As a senior, Holyfield averaged 8.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.[9]

Professional career

On May 20, 2020, Holyfield signed with Kauhajoki Karhu of the Finnish Korisliiga.[10]

On June 17, 2021, he signed with EWE Baskets Oldenburg of the Basketball Bundesliga.[11]

On July 7, 2023, Holyfield signed with Passlab Yamagata Wyverns of the Japanese B.League.[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Grammer . Geoff . Former Manzano hoops star T.J. Holyfield will transfer to Texas Tech . May 21, 2020 . . May 11, 2019.
  2. News: Chasen . Scott . Graduate transfer announces visit to KU basketball . May 21, 2020 . 247 Sports . April 11, 2019.
  3. New Orleans' Erik Thomas Wins Southland Player of the Year Honors . Southland Conference . March 6, 2017 . March 6, 2017.
  4. News: Bogues, Holyfield combine for 55 points, SFA wins 118-64 . May 21, 2020 . . . November 18, 2017.
  5. Central Arkansas’ Jordan Howard wins men’s basketball Player of the Year . Southland Conference . March 5, 2018 . May 24, 2024.
  6. News: Beames . Caleb . SFA’s TJ Holyfield being a supportive leader at the end of the bench . May 21, 2020 . KTRE . February 26, 2019.
  7. News: Carlton . Chuck . Texas Tech adds Stephen F. Austin grad transfer forward T.J. Holyfield . May 21, 2020 . . May 11, 2019.
  8. Web site: Haliburton and Holyfield Earn Season’s First Weekly Awards. Big 12 Conference. November 11, 2019. May 21, 2020.
  9. Web site: TJ Holyfield joins Karhu . Eurobasket . May 21, 2020 . May 20, 2020.
  10. Web site: Lupo . Nicola . May 20, 2020 . Rookie PF TJ Holyfield signs with Karhu Basket . May 21, 2020 . Sportando.
  11. Web site: Carchia . Emiliano . June 16, 2021 . EWE Baskets Oldenburg adds TJ Holyfield . June 17, 2021 . Sportando . En.
  12. Web site: July 7, 2023 . 2023-24シーズン ティモシー・ホリフィールド選手 契約合意のお知らせ . July 25, 2023 . Passlab Yamagata Wyverns . ja.