Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Tyrone Green earns Men's Basketball scholarship by switching hands
04/12/2006 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
April 12, 2006
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - With five games left in Tyrone Green's freshman year at Southeastern Illinois College, head coach Todd Franklin was so exasperated with Green's poor shooting that he told him to try switching hands.
He was only half serious. Green, who did everything else in life left-handed -- except shoot a basketball -- gave it a try.
Lo and behold, Green's shots starting falling. His team stood and watched for nearly an hour as the 6-foot-3 guard started draining jumpers as a southpaw.
If not for that moment in his life 14 months ago, Green would not likely be where he is today -- the newest member of the Southern Illinois University men's basketball team.
The muscular guard, who averaged 11 points, six assists and five rebounds for one of the nation's top junior college programs last season, joins one of the deepest backcourts in the nation at SIU.
Green has traveled a fascinating road to Carbondale.
He played power forward at Wayne County High School in Monticello, Ky. Someone there made him shoot the ball right-handed, but since he was close enough to the hoop most of the time, it didn't matter.
"He was a (Charles) Barkley-esque kind of player in high school," said Franklin, who believes Green has tremendous upside, if he continues to refine his guard skills.
Green was a two-time, all-state selection and finished his career as the third-leading scorer (1,957 points) and second-best rebounder in Wayne County history.
Franklin converted Green into a point guard at SIC, and quickly noticed that his shot "looked painful" and unnatural. Thus the switch.
Saluki head coach Chris Lowery said Green's shot is still a work in progress, but he also brings slashing-type skills, similar to that of former Saluki guards Darren Brooks and Stetson Hairston, who both graduated in 2005.
"Tyrone is a kid who can really attack the rim," Lowery said. "That's something we missed last season from the guard position."
Franklin agreed with the comparison.
"Tyrone's well cut-up, skilled, athletic and an explosive leaper," he said.
Both coaches also praised Green's off-the-court persona.
"He's not a high-maintenance kid," Franklin said. "He's team-oriented. Tyrone is not worried about how many shots he's going to get and what his stats are."
"He'll help our chemistry, because he's a good kid," Lowery added. "He's a great leader and a tremendous athlete."
The Salukis are building a mini-pipeline with SIC, which is located in Harrisburg, Ill., just 35 miles east of Carbondale. Recent SIC transfers to SIU include LaMar Owen and Kyle Smithpeters.
Franklin said Green picked Southern Illlinois over other offers because the Saluki staff was committed to him and to winning.
"They made him a priority recruit," said Franklin. "He's come from situations where he's always won, and didn't want that to change."
Green's rebounding prowess is especially attractive to SIU. The Salukis featured a three-guard starting lineup last season, with no back court player taller than 6-foot-1.
"We struggled with rebounding from our guards," Lowery admitted. "When you have three, little guys out there, they don't rebound as well."
Competition will be fierce in the backcourt next season with seven players battling for three spots. Lowery said he relishes having options.
The Salukis return four guards from the 2005-06 team. Juniors Jamaal Tatum (15.0 ppg) and Tony Young (11.6 ppg) were the team's top, two scorers. Point guard Bryan Mullins won freshman-of-the-year honors in the Missouri Valley Conference, and freshman Wesley Clemmons was a member of the MVC's all-bench team.
Lowery said those players can't rest on their laurels because, in addition to Green, two highly touted freshmen will likely get immediate playing time -- redshirt Christian Cornelius and true frosh Joshua Bone.
The depth should allow SIU to play its aggressive style on defense without worrying about fatigue or foul trouble.
The Salukis still have one scholarship available, and Lowery said he has one more prospect in his sights this spring.
