Texas Tech secure JUCO star, British Columbia’s Ty Nurse

Follow Jovan Brkic on Twitter @Jbrkic & NPH @NorthPoleHoops

Lubbock, TX – Ty Nurse became the latest Canadian star to join the ranks of the NCAA’s elite as he committed to the Texas Tech Red Raiders this past weekend.  Hailing from British Columbia, this 6’1 point guard had been hotly pursued by numerous schools. He was seriously considering programs such as Nebraska, Houston, Creighton and Rhode Island, before finally settling on Texas Tech.

 “What made me choose Texas Tech  was mainly [coach] Billie Gillispie;  he knows how to win, and he knows how to develop point guards very well,” Nurse told NPH. “The city of Lubbock is also a great college town and very supportive of the basketball program out here.”

After making a name for himself on the B.C. hoops scene and as part of the Canadian National Program, Nurse made his way down south to the Junior College ranks, where he starred for the national powerhouse Midland College. This past season, Nurse averaged 9.1 points per game, while knocking down an astonishing 54% of his three point attempts, and shooting 82% from the line. He played a key role in helping Midland win the Western Junior College Athletic Conference title, and in making it all the way to the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship game. With strong leadership and passing skills, combined with his deadly shooting touch, Nurse is reminiscent of a player you might be familiar with.

“I would compare my game to Chauncey Billups’,” said Nurse. “I’m strong with the ball, and  a true floor general. I can shoot the three very well, use body contact to get to the foul line, and I do a solid job of taking care of the ball.”

 

Like Billups, Nurse is also a proven winner, as evidenced by the role he played in helping Midland College to a ridiculously impressive 63-7 record during his two years there. “Point guards are a lot like quarterbacks in that they are judged in winning, and no other junior college point guard in the country has won more games than [Ty] has over the last two years,” his Midland College coach, Ross Hodge, told media shortly after Nurse’s signing.

As one of eight new players coming to Texas Tech this fall, Nurse will be counted on to help the Raiders stay competitive as they go through their transitional phase. It’s a challenge he’s looking forward to. “I am someone who knows how to win, and will put his team in the best situation to win games. Coach Gillispie and I have already built a great relationship, and I know I can be a leader for him on the floor. When the point guard and coach are on the same page, it will lead to success.”

 As one of the leading talents in the recent explosion of Canadian talent in the NCAA ranks, Nurse is proud of his roots, and credits the Canadian national program  for helping him develop into the player he is today. “Playing in international tournaments with the junior national team gave me a lot of good experience, and taught me to play the game at a mature level,” he explains.

With his game at its sharpest, and with the opportunity to shine staring him in the face, Ty Nurse is ready to not only show the NCAA what he’s all about, but what Canadian ball is about as well. “I’m just another Canadian trying to proudly represent his home town and Canada the best I can, and show people that they need to stop sleeping on Canada and take notice.”

With players like Ty Nurse leading the way, who wouldn’t notice?