2 weeks ago
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Twenty-one-year-old Tyrell Griffith has secured a basketball scholarship to Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in the United States. The forward for the San Pedro Tiger Sharks was one of 70 candidates who showed up to the scouting session held at the Belize Civic Center back in May. After being shortlisted, he was granted a full four-year scholarship to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Engineering. It’s a remarkable achievement for his career and for basketball in Belize, so today the Ministry of Youth and Sports held a press conference at the National Sports Council to celebrate. Griffith says that he had considered giving up, when he finally got his big break.
Tyrell Griffith, Scholarship Recipient: “For the most part, I’m excited. Like they say to work on my craft, work on my shots. With my education, more excited about that part. Engineering all the way, my whole family, my brother is electric car. I’m more civil engineering building and stuff so I’m most part I’m excited. My grades for the recruitment day actually I said to myself this was going to be my last year trying to get recruited to go to the states to play basketball and I said because I’m getting old I said so it was going to be my last year. I never gave up and then I was at work and then they called me and asked me if I was going to the Civic Center for the scouting stuff and I said no actually. But something changed my mind. My mom called me and she asked me again and then I went. I was late, unprepared and when I got on the court I said this is my chance and I got to do this so I’m excited for the most part, I’m ready.”
Congratulating Griffith and offering words of advice and encouragement were Minister of Youth and Sports Anthony Mahler, along with Minister of State Devin Daly, who also went to LSSU.
Devin Daly, Minister of State: Youth and Sports: “This young man, Tyrell, is finally capitalizing on the opportunity of following his lifelong dreams of going outside to play basketball. But more so than the actual sport of basketball this is a great opportunity for this young man and his family for him to actually pursue an undergrad education free of cost while utilizing his God-given talents. This is the story. This is what it’s about. You get opportunities to represent yourself, your country. You do and you show a good showing and then people from behind it’s a no-brainer for them to come behind and give the opportunity to somebody else based on the legacy that you had left, right?”
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Youth and Sports: “This is a huge opportunity for himself, his family, for Belize. We can continue to open doors for others. You go there, you put in the work, focus on school first and then ball will always be there. You will be in an environment whereby they expect a higher level of professionalism and dedication towards your craft. And so that’s the advice I’m going to give you, that you go there and you do your best you can do. You ensure that you work at your craft every single day.”
Griffith is undergoing last minute preparations to leave as school officially starts on August 25.
English (US) ·