Reflections on Haws' 'Road to Russia'

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- For BYU's Tyler Haws, the journey began with an invitation to USA Basketball's World University Games Training Camp. For we who covered Haws this week in Colorado Springs, the journey began at 11:00 p.m. Wednesday night, after a busy BYU Football Media Day.

*******

We learned earlier Wednesday that Haws had survived Team USA's initial training camp cut-down from 26 to 16 players, with a final cut to 12 coming up on the weekend. I had previously decided to make the trip over to Colorado Springs in the event that Haws made the first cut, then recruited KSL's Dave Noriega and BYU's Kyle Chilton to make the road trip with me. We were all in--as long Haws was still in the team.

Of course, Tyler made Wednesday cut, so after an entire day covering football, we all took care of some business on Wednesday night, then piled into a car at 11:00 p.m. for the all-night drive.

We arrived on the U.S. Olympic Training Center campus in time for the first of two Thursday practices, and upon our entrance to the gym, we were greeted by a happy Haws, who was genuinely glad to see some friendly faces in the midst of a pressure-filled experience.

*******

Team USA Head Coach Bob McKillop told us on more than one occasion that the week began with Haws struggling to get comfortable on the floor, but that the BYU junior-to-be battled through any early difficulties and found his stride as the week went along.

"He has progressed practice by practice, gotten better and better," McKillop told us on Thursday. "If you would have asked him how he performed in his first day here, he would have shaken his head and said 'no way I have a chance to be a part of this,' but he has gotten better and better."

We got to observe Haws in two full days of work with the Team USA hopefuls, and what we saw is what the coaches saw: a player who simply knows how to make winning plays. He is comfortable shooting from literally every spot on the floor. He scans the floor for open teammates. He battles hard for rebounds. He doesn't let negative plays affect his energy or focus. He's a student of the game and a willing learner.

On that first day we were able to observe Haws, McKillop told us that as a coach at Davidson, he "fell in love with (Haws) watching him on the court during his AAU and high school seasons. I'm not surprised at the great success that he's had."

"(He has) the ability to do so many things--he understands coaching, (has) great work ethic, terrific genes, and of course, his team orientation. He wanted to be part of a team. He had the skill, he had the talent, but those other things--coachability, work ethic and toughness--those really stood out.

"He's clearly a 'system guy,' and we're 'system coaches,' so he fits what we do. We have to pick people who are going to show toughness and teamwork. The (players are) all here because they have talent; those guys who have the most toughness and most team orientation are going to be the ones who make the team."

*******

The rest of Thursday and the sessions on Friday demonstrated everything McKillop likes about Haws. He played hard, and he played well. Yet, he was competing for roster spots with some of the best players in the college game. Every player who made the final 12-man roster was either a conference Player of the Year, all-conference selection, or like Louisville's Luke Hancock, the Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

Suffice it to say that none of the players in camp were used to being cut, but the reality was that of the 15 players we got to see play (Duke's Rodney Hood was injured Wednesday and had to withdraw from camp), three were going to be sent home.

*******

As the "Voice of the Cougars," my allegiances are well known. As someone who was watched Tyler Haws and been acquainted with the Haws family for years, I was personally (although discreetly) rooting for Ty to make Team USA. As such, I hung on every drill, pass and shot over an intense two-day period. Understanding that the pressure was exponentially greater for the player, I can attest at the interested observers (Noriega and Chilton included) were emotionally invested in his fortunes.

Following a Friday night scrimmage that was to be the last event before three cuts were made, a long night ensued. We had been advised that the cut-down decision was likely to be released that night, but that there was a chance the process could carry into Saturday morning, and that's what happened.

We (and the players, of course) waited deep into the night before retiring and waiting for news on Saturday. Early that day, I received some promising indications, and soon, the news was confirmed: Tyler Haws had made Team USA, becoming the first BYU hoopster in 30 years to earn the privilege of wearing his national team uniform in international competition.

*******

The accomplishment belonged to Haws, but his supporters everywhere--from Lone Peak High School's boundaries throughout Cougar Nation--were certainly overjoyed along with him. As chroniclers of Haws' pressure-packed pursuit, Noriega and Chilton and I felt cause to celebrate; as much for who Tyler Haws is, as for what he had just accomplished.

Haws is a guy you want to see succeed. His life of dedication and hard work--whether exemplified by countless hours in the gym or two years of service in the Philippines--has produced a player and a person for whom it is easy to cheer. He is competitive, but kind; intense, but always interested in others. He is a stand-out, in so many ways.

In a group of more than two dozen of the most talented players in college basketball, Tyler Haws earned recognition as one of the top 12.

He also earned the attention and respect of teammates and USA Basketball staffers, who were intrigued by his LDS faith and the role it plays in his life..

Following Saturday night's scrimmage (in which Haws impressed with 16 points and five rebounds), fans who had come to the game specifically to see Haws came to the floor for pictures and handshakes. Soon, his parents were on the hardwoods, greeting and congratulating their son for his week of work and significant national honor.

Post-scrimmage media interviews still awaited, and Haws took care of those too. After it all, he was the last player to leave the gym. But that's nothing new, which is in part why Tyler Haws will tomorrow leave Colorado Springs, still rolling down 'The Road to Russia.'

--

On behalf of Dave Noriega and Kyle Chilton, thanks to all who have taken an interest in our coverage on ksl.com, KSL TV, KSL Radio and byucougars.com.

Follow Team USA by visiting their website usabasketball.com, and watch the team's games at the World University Games on a taped and live basis on ESPNU.

--

*******

Photo: Kyle Chilton, BYU Athletic Media Relations

*******

Related topics