Tyson Ward Explained

Tyson Ward
Position:Small forward / Shooting guard
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lb:185
League:LNB Pro A
Team:Paris Basketball
Number:3
Nationality:American
Birth Date:1997 7, mf=yes
High School:Tampa Prep
(Tampa, Florida)
College:
Draft Year:2020
Career Start:2020
Years1:2020–2021
Team1:s.Oliver Würzburg
Years2:2021–2023
Team2:Telekom Baskets Bonn
Years3:2023–present
Team3:Paris Basketball
Highlights:

Tyson Christopher Ward (born July 26, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for Paris Basketball of the LNB Pro A. He played college basketball for North Dakota State.

High school career

Ward attended Tampa Prep, where he was frequently overshadowed by his teammate, Juwan Durham. As a junior, Ward scored 21 points to lead Tampa Prep to a 56-41 victory over Seffner Christian in the Class 3A, District 7 final.[1] During their senior season, Durham tore his ACL, and Ward was counted on for more scoring. Ward contributed 31 points in a 73-70 loss to Windermere Prep in the Class 3A region final. He averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.[2] Ward was named to the first-team All-State. He was mainly recruited by Coastal Carolina and Charleston Southern, but was impressed by North Dakota State coach David Richman during a recruiting visit in March 2016 and committed to the Bison.[3]

College career

Ward scored a freshman season-high 22 points in an overtime loss to IUPUI. He averaged 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a freshman at North Dakota State.[4] As a sophomore, Ward averaged 11.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.[5] Ward scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a 73-63 win over Omaha in the Summit League Tournament Championship and was named to the All-Tournament Team. He followed up this performance by scoring 23 points in a 2019 NCAA Tournament First Four win over North Carolina Central.[6] Ward averaged 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game as a junior.[7] Coming into his senior season, Ward gave up using social media to focus on academics and basketball.[8] On February 29, 2019, he scored a career-high 29 points shooting 4-of-4 from three-point range in an 87-67 win over Omaha.[9] As a senior, Ward averaged 16.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He was named to the First Team All-Summit League and All-District 12 Second Team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.[10] Ward helped North Dakota State finish 25-8 and win the Summit League regular season and tournament championship. He finished his college career as the only player in program history with more than 1,500 points, 700 rebounds and 250 assists.[11]

Professional career

On July 28, 2020, Ward signed with s.Oliver Würzburg of the Basketball Bundesliga.[12]

On June 29, 2021, he has signed with Telekom Baskets Bonn of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).[13]

On July 19, 2023, he signed with Paris Basketball of the LNB Pro A (BBL).[14]

Personal life

Ward is the son of Chris Ward, who was the head basketball coach at Hillsborough High School.[15] His father also is the Co-Founder of THE Skills Center https://theskillscenter.org/.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Sharp . Darek . District boys basketball: Tampa Prep takes 10th straight title . July 28, 2020 . . February 7, 2015.
  2. News: Putnam . Bob . Boys basketball: Windermere Prep beats Tampa Prep in Class 3A region final . July 28, 2020 . . February 20, 2016.
  3. News: Kerlin . Joe . Tyson Ward Just Wants To Play His Role . July 28, 2020 . Bison Illustrated . April 7, 2017.
  4. News: Putnam . Bob . Tampa Bay hoopsters to watch in college . July 28, 2020 . . November 10, 2017.
  5. News: Summit League Preseason Men's Basketball Poll . July 28, 2020 . Dakota News Now . October 4, 2018.
  6. News: Scmidt . Nolan . Tyson Ward: The Evolution . July 28, 2020 . Bison Illustrated . April 19, 2019.
  7. News: Couzin . Nick . NDSU Basketball Tabbed As Preseason Summit League Favorite . July 28, 2020 . KVRR . October 7, 2019.
  8. News: Schmidt . Nolan . Shift In Focus Has Paid Off For Tyson Ward . July 28, 2020 . Bison Illustrated . March 7, 2020.
  9. News: Ward, Samuelson, Shahid spark N. Dakota St. romp, 87-67 . July 28, 2020 . . . February 29, 2020.
  10. News: Hagedorn Among Five From Summit Named All-District . July 28, 2020 . Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan . March 24, 2020.
  11. News: Miller . Chase . Ward Signs in Germany to Begin Professional Basketball Career . July 28, 2020 . KFGO . July 27, 2020.
  12. Web site: Würzburg signs rookie Tyson Ward, re-signs Flo Koch . Sportando . July 28, 2020 . July 28, 2020.
  13. Web site: Athletisches Multitalent: Willkommen Tyson Ward. June 29, 2021. telekom-baskets-bonn.de. de. June 29, 2021.
  14. Web site: Tyson Ward rejoint le Paris Basketball. July 19, 2023. parisbasketball.paris. fr. July 29, 2023.
  15. News: Putnam . Bob . Hillsborough coach Chris Ward's unusual methods yield exceptional results . July 28, 2020 . . March 8, 2018.
  16. News: Kolpack . Jeff . Former Bison players Ward, Shahid begin road to pro basketball . November 25, 2020 . Inforum . March 25, 2020.