Picked to finish first in the Mountain West preseason poll, it’s safe to say this Boise State Broncos team has high hopes for the new season. One particular player, senior forward Tyson Degenhart, is set to be the go-to option as he returns for his senior year.
I spoke with Degenhart about his basketball journey, Boise State’s eventual move to the Pac-12 and a few things outside the hardwood.
Trey Weston: What was the moment you knew that basketball was your sport?
Tyson Degenhart: I was playing in second grade at the middle school that I would later attend, and I made a buzzer-beater three that kind of rolled around the rim. I think that was the moment that I really enjoyed basketball, and my mom was coaching me, making it even more special. Then, by the time I got to sixth or seventh grade, I knew it was the sport I wanted to focus on.
TW: This past season, your game went to new heights. Did you consider transferring or going pro after the big year?
TD: As far as transferring, no. With everything going on here for me, there’s not really a way to replace that. Obviously, money is great, but what I have here is super, super special with the team. However, I gave the pro route some thought and talked with Coach Rice, but we didn’t feel it was right to put my name in the draft. So I came back to school, and I’m really, really excited for my senior year.
TW: You mentioned your discussions with Coach Rice. Can you talk about what it is like to play for such a respected coach across college hoops?
TD: He’s so great. He’s such a great guy on and off the court. He pushes you to be your best and helps you find different parts of your game to improve on. And he’s also not afraid to be hard on you because he’s your number one fan at the end of the day.
TW: Now, through his coaching and the great teams you’ve had throughout your time at the school, you’ve played in the NCAA Tournament every year. What has that experience been like?
TD: It’s a super cool experience because I grew up watching Gonzaga basketball and the success that they’ve had. I remember having my computer on during school and watching games, and now I have had the opportunity to do so. That said, the goal in the NCAA Tournament is to win, and we hope this is the year we can get the first program victory for the school.
TW: As you enter the final year of college basketball, what are your expectations for yourself and the team?
TD: For the team, I think we can win the Mountain West. We’ve got a really great group of guys here despite the fact that we lost a lot of guys from last year’s team. We’ve got some great freshmen and transfers, and we’ve also been able to bond in practice ahead of the new season. As for me, I just want to have all the team success and leave no regrets for myself.
TW: Although this won’t affect you, how do you feel about Boise State heading to the Pac-12 in the coming years?
TD: It’s super cool to see the rise of Boise State as a whole university. We’ve always had a great football program, and now we’re moving closer to that power conference where we always wanted to be. For me, specifically, it’s cool to see that Gonzaga and Boise State will be in the same conference, allowing me to see my soon-to-be alma mater facing off against a team I grew up watching.
TW: Pivoting from the hoops side of things, you had the ability to throw out the first pitch at a Mariners game, which is your hometown team. What was that experience like?
TD: That was incredible. It was a long time coming. I reached out to the Mariners on January 23 and threw out the first pitch on August 24. I also got a chance to do it on Boise State night, which was really cool because my family and friends came, and I was able to represent the school. On top of that, Coach Burns, my assistant coach, caught the pitch, which was a special moment because he grew up in Seattle and was the bat boy for them when they first became a team.
TW: In addition to that, another thing you’ve been doing off the court is hosting a show called The Tyson Degenhart Show. How did this come to fruition?
TD: It all started with the NIL deal I have through Idaho Central Credit Union, which is partnered with Bronco Nation News. We decided to have a show, and broadcasting is something that I want to do after I finish playing, so it’s been great to have the experience.
TW: Now, as the season is in less than two weeks, what will a Tyson Degenhart playlist feature this year?
TD: I’d say a little bit of Drake and Lil Baby, but overall, I’m kind of mainstream.
Degenhart and the rest of the Broncos squad will begin their season at home on Nov. 6, when they battle an NCAA Tournament team in the Oakland Grizzlies in Boise.
