I was free lance writer for A Sea Of Blue at the time, a Kentucky centric publication. I decided to go interview Tyler Herro after a game his senior year of high school.
It was December 2017 between Christmas and New Years. I had some time so I went to the Milwaukee Area to a Holiday Shootout in Homestead,WI. My son went up there with me. Mission was to get an interview with Kentucky commit Tyler Herro. He played at Whitnall (Greenfield,WI). Background here is that Herro had been committed to Wisconsin for since September 2016. In October 2017 he decommitted from Wisconsin and not too long after selected Kentucky. The rumors in Wisconsin at the time were that Herro couldn't get past admissions at Wisconsin (that was completely false). He was getting a lot of hate, death threat at a gas station when he was filling up his gas. The house was spray painted by some "enthusiastic" Wisconsin fans.
I got cleared to talk to Herro by his high school coach at the time, a great guy who gave me complete access. I was going to interview him after the game. The fans were hostile, booing and hollering the nastiest things at Herro. I met his entire family, Dad, Mom, younger brothers. They were great people and accomodating. Tyler Herro did not shoot well that game and his team ended up losing the game. Before that though Herro went down with a knee injury. The fans were actually CHEERING that he was injured. I went to the training table and talked to Tyler. He actually wanted to go ahead with the interview. I said no go get your injury treated, that I'll try to catch up with you another time. Well I never got the interview, but I was ok with that. Treating the injury was more important than an interview with me.
His Dad told me at the time that year can't end soon enough. He was tired of the hate, catcalls and harrassment they were receiving in their home state. All because his young man picked the school he wanted to and it wasn't Wisconsin. I told him at the time this was going to give him thicker skin, make him tougher on and off the court. I knew at that time he would be a pro, and NBA player. He had the talent, moxie, and not back down attitude. I'll admit I didn't know at the time he'd be one and done. I said that only after a few games he played at Kentucky. Kentucky fans at the time thought I WAS NUTS!!!! He ended up one and done. Then at the NBA combine he measured at 6'4" in height and wingspan was 6'3". T-Rex arms big time. Some NBA scouts said he would not last long in the league. I told my friends he would play at least a decade.
He's in his sixth year in the NBA, and playing at an all-star level this year. His current contract is 4 year $120 million rookie extension. I usually see him in Milwuaukee when I go up for an NY2LA event. I also still have a word with his Dad, who is still coaching Team Herro on the Nike EYBL Circuit. HIs middle brother Austin is a preferred walk-on at South Carolina, and his younger brother Myles is a senior in high school at Whitnall. I've always been a fan of Tyler and his game. He's always had an edge to him and will light you up from deep. He made all the haters in Wisconsin look foolish and went one and done instead of being a four year player at Kentucky. Keep being great Tyler, it was a pleasure talking to you on the day in December 2017 though no interview. BUILT DIFFERENT!!!!!!
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