After being a part of a historic team in his first season at Seattle University, Redshirt Junior Guard and Sociology major Cameron Tyson is hoping for an even more successful season. Last year, Tyson was named First Team All-WAC and was most recently awarded WAC Player of the Week. 

TO: You played at a couple of schools before coming to Seattle. Can you talk about your journey to get here?

CT: Out of high school, I spent one year at the University of Idaho. After that year, I decided to transfer and ended up at the University of Houston, where I redshirted for a year. Then, during my second year there, I went to a Final Four game with them and transferred after that year to Seattle, where we won our first WAC championship.

TO: What made you choose Seattle U? 

CT: Just coming back home, I’m from around the area. Being able to have my friends and my family at every game, that’s as big of a support system as one could ask for. 

TO: You had a good season during your first year at Idaho. What was that like for you?

CT: It was cool. Going into that, I didn’t really know what college basketball was like, so it was a lot to get used to. I did have a fairly good individual season, but as far as the team, we didn’t do too well. So that was kind of where the frustration came in. I wasn’t really used to that type of losing. That’s ultimately what led to my decision to transfer.

TO: As a team at Houston, you guys did well. How was that experience?

CT: It was different for sure. I was in a new role. Not a whole lot of opportunities, but I felt like when my number was called, I was definitely always ready for the moment. I’m forever grateful for what those guys taught me. I feel like they are a big reason that my game is where it is today and they really helped me to develop.

TO: How was your first season here in Seattle? 

CT: It was good, we won the first WAC [(Western Athletic Conference)]championship in school history. That’s something to be proud of. Every time I step into the gym, whether it’s right now or when I’m an alumnus, it’s something I can always look at. I feel like as the season went on, we started believing in each other more and I think it got us to the point where we are now.

TO: Individually and as a team, what does your training regime look like? 

CT: Individually, I like to get 400 to 500 shots made a day. Some before practice, some after practice. Every day, we usually practice from about 9:30 a.m. to about 12 p.m., then go back to the gym later, and get some more shots up. That’s really it.

TO: How do you train and prepare during the offseason?

CT: Every day, just making sure I get quality work in. I don’t think it’s so much about how many hours you spend in the gym, it’s about what you do when you’re in there. I try to go hard every workout. 

TO: What are your current season goals, either for yourself or for the team?

CT: Well, we fell short of the NCAA tournament last year by one game. So obviously to get to the NCAA tournament, I think that’s the biggest one. I would like to win Player Of the Year, but if we make it to the NCAA tournament, I would rather do that than win player of the year.

TO: Do you have something that you would like to achieve before you leave Seattle?

CT: Probably an NCAA tournament appearance. I think that’s big for me because when I talked to Coach Victor for the first time, that was one of the goals I told him that I wanted for this program. It’s just something that I can look back and say, I was a part of the team that made the first NCAA Tournament in 40 years.

TO: What is a piece of advice that you would give your first-year self?

CT: Just stay the course. There’s gonna be ups and there’s gonna be downs. But, if you remain true to who you are, you have a strong character inside and trust your support system, then ultimately, you will overcome any adversity that’s thrown your way.

With basketball season currently underway, Tyson is eager for the team to pick up where they left off. With their eyes on an NCAA tournament appearance, the Redhawks are on a 5-0 start to the season for the first time since 2008.