Same goal, different cat: Lundblade now a Greensboro Day Bengal
GREENSBORO, N.C. (BVM) — Six times in the last decade, the Greensboro Day boys basketball team has been a 30-win program. They鈥檝e produced numerous NCAA basketball prospects, and North Carolina Hall of Fame coach Freddy Johnson is the winningest in the state鈥檚 history. All reasons why they have landed transfer guard Tyler Lundblade from Grapevine Faith Christian School in Texas.
This past season, Lundblade led the Lions to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) state semifinals with eye-popping numbers. The 6-foot-4 combo guard averaged 28.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He was also lethal from beyond the arc, making 112 3-pointers on 40% shooting.
Those stats came with plenty of honors, recognizing him as one of the best prep players in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He earned TAPPS District 1-5A MVP, 5A all-state and was placed on the state鈥檚 all-tournament team. However, as good as his season was, it wasn鈥檛 an outlier. He鈥檚 been getting the job done since his freshman year.
As a freshman, Lundblade averaged 16.3 points and 4.2 assists per game with 100 made 3s at a 41% clip. Over his three seasons as a Lion, he averaged 22.7 points per game, filling the cup in a variety of ways. To maximize his recruiting process, Lundblade will now be a Bengal for his senior season.
Although he has the background of an elite prospect, his recruiting trail has been kind of slow. Up to this point, Lundblade says that he has no offers, just interest. So far, he says that Virginia, Utah State, Colorado State, Loyola Chicago, Princeton and Drake have all reached out. He wants to be able to prove to these schools, amongst others that might be monitoring him, that his game at Grapevine Christian deserved more eyes.
鈥淚鈥檓 not trying to toot my own horn or brag, but I was the third-leading scorer in all of Texas and No. 1 as a junior,鈥� Lundblade said. 鈥淣one of the local schools even reached out or showed up to a game.鈥�
That鈥檚 why Lundblade and his family identified Greensboro Day as the place for him to heat up his recruiting process. Their elite basketball program coached by a high school basketball legend will offer him the chance to show what he鈥檚 made of against some better competition. Lundblade should have no problem doing this, as he is very self-aware of how he can contribute.
鈥淢y best strength is my outside shooting and really just all-around scoring,鈥� Lundblade said. 鈥淚鈥檓 efficient. I pride myself on not having to take 30 shots to score 30 points or take 20 to get 20.鈥�
So while the soon-to-be senior prepares for his final prep-level season, he鈥檚 also keeping in the back of his mind what he wants from a college program. Because although he is itching to get that first official offer, he wants to make sure he commits to the program that鈥檒l 铿乼 his needs the best, as both a person and a player.
鈥淚 want to go somewhere where I have a great relationship with the coaches in that they pour into me as a person, not just as a player,鈥� Lundblade said. 鈥淔rom a basketball perspective, I do want to be able to contribute right away and style of play will be big for me also.鈥�
But before he worries about the colleges, Lundblade wants to make sure he takes care of his in-season goals, as a team and individually. He says the most obvious one is bringing home a state championship. Personally, he wants to be an ESPN top 40 player.
鈥淚 know I鈥檓 capable of proving that,鈥� Lundblade said. 鈥淭hen it鈥檒l just be finding the right school and signing; setting myself up for the next stage of life.鈥�
With the Bengals losing six seniors this offseason, the pairing of Lundblade and Greensboro Day is perfect. The team gets a top talent, and he gets a top opportunity.
