Bey Brings Athleticism, Tremendous Upside To Buffs

BOULDER — For the most part, Tyler Bey is a man of few words.

Bey, a member of what is being touted as one of the best Colorado basketball recruiting classes ever, is the kind of guy who lets his game do the talking.
The guess is Buffs fans will love what they see — and hear.

"I think the fans will like me," Bey said recently. "I like to believe I'm an exciting player to watch. I dunk a lot and I think the crowd will like that because it brings excitement and emotion to the team."

Bey is a 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward who will no doubt be given every opportunity possible to earn some significant playing time right away. Tabbed by the recruiting services as a player with "a bevy of athleticism," he's been ranked among the top 150 players in the country after a standout senior season at Middlebrooks Academy in Los Angeles. Bey is a player who can score inside and out, and possesses excellent speed, particularly for a bigger player.

Bey will be one of five newcomers to the Buffs this year, three of whom — Bey, D'Shawn Schwartz and McKinley Wright — are already on campus and enrolled in classes. They are already participating in summer conditioning drills and beginning preparations for an August trip to Italy. CU's remaining two freshman signees, Evan Battey and Lazar Nikolic, are expected to be on campus in time to join the Buffs on their overseas excursion.

Bey and the rest of the incoming class arrive in Boulder at a time when Tad Boyle's Buffs are hitting the "reset" button to a degree. Colorado lost four seniors to graduation last season — including three starters — and two other players transferred out of the program.

It is, in essence, the perfect time for a highly touted freshman class to come in and have an immediate impact.

Bey is a player the Buffs believe can have such an impact. Boyle has compared Bey to former Buff Andre Roberson (now with the Oklahoma City Thunder), and told the Daily Camera recently that Bey may have as big of an upside as any member of the freshman class.

The chance to contribute immediately was no doubt one of the factor's in Bey's decision. While he had offers from a multitude of schools across the West, including several Pac-12 programs, he saw the opportunity that fit him best in Boulder.

"I want to work hard enough to get ahead of everybody on the team," Bey said. "If it's early morning workouts, being in class and doing what I have to do to get good grades — I want to do everything I can to make us better. Whatever the coaches need me to do, that's what I want to work on."

Bey should fit nicely on CU's front line, particularly after he's had a chance to add some beef to his frame in the Buffs' weight room. Colorado lost two of its top three rebounders from last season, as well as its top shot blockers. The Buffs do have some returnees on the front line, including senior big man Tory Miller and sophomore Lucas Siewert, as well as redshirt freshman Dallas Walton.

Bey, though, could find some time in the mix right away.

"One thing I want to do is be consistent on the court," Bey said. "I definitely think I can contribute right away, but I want to do whatever the coaches need me to do. I want to be at my best and help make us better."

The trip to Italy comes at a perfect time for the Buffs, as they will get 10 extra practices this summer, as well as some extra games in Italy. It should no doubt help accelerate the process of getting the newcomers acclimated into the program, as well as help the entire team get acquainted for what will no doubt be a different look next season.

"Going overseas is going to be a great experience," Bey said. "It should bring us together on the court and off the court. We have a great group of older guys and some really talented new guys. Our chemistry should be much better early. It should really help us come together as a team."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu