Alonzo Tyson to join CSU men’s basketball with immediate eligibility

Read this story at CSURams.com

Colorado State men’s basketball has signed forward Alonzo Tyson (Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian (Cape Fear CC)) to a National Letter of Intent, head coach Larry Eustachy announced today. Tyson will be eligible to play immediately and will have two seasons of eligibility for the Rams.

The 6-foot-9 forward has spent the last two years at Cape Fear Community College, where he was a starter for the Sea Devils and coach Ryan Mantlo, a former volunteer assistant coach at Colorado State from 2004-05. As a sophomore in 2016-17, he started in 25 of his 31 games played, averaging 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds a game, increasing those averages to 16.6 points and 9.4 rebounds in conference play. He shot 65.2 percent from the field and 68.3 percent from the free throw line and added 26 assists, 22 steals, and 47 blocks on the year. He posted a career-high 27 points against Clinton Junior College on March 1. 

His first year with the Sea Devils, Tyson started in 25 in 32 games played, averaging 12.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a game. He shot 62.0 percent from the floor and increased that to 65.0 percent in conference action. During the game against Denmark Technical College on Feb. 13, 2016, Tyson put up a career-high of 20 rebounds. 

“We are very excited about Alonso,” Eustachy said. “He brings a shot-blocking dimension that I don’t think we have had in my time here.”

Tyson spent two years at Trinity Christian school, he served as team captain and was ranked by Phenom Hoop Report as the state’s 13th best senior in 2014-15. He made an appearance in the 2015 North Carolina Private School All-State game, helping the East squad to a win by tying for team-high honors with 16 points. He was one of nine boys’ basketball players in North Carolina nominated for the McDonald’s All-American award and was named All-Cape Fear Region Second Team by the Fayetteville Observer.

During his junior year at Trinity Christian, Tyson was a part of the 2013-14 state championship team for coach Heath Vandevender, averaging 9.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. In the state semifinals, he recorded 17 points and grabbed six boards in an 82-80 victory. 

The Fayetteville, North Carolina native played for Goldsboro High School for two years before transferring to Trinity Christian High School. At Goldsboro, Tyson averaged 9.4 points, and 8.5 rebounds as a sophomore, helping the team to a 20-7 record.

Tyson joins CSU’s 2017 recruiting class next to guard Raquan Mitchell (Miami, Fla./Southridge (South Plains [TX] College) and guard Kris Martin (Frisco, Texas/Kimball (Oral Roberts)).