Seattle Wing Haymond Picks Western Michigan
9/10/12
2013 6'5 Garfield High School (Seattle WA) Tucker Haymond went on a visit to Western Michigan for a official visit, after going to the football game, getting to play with the team and getting to know the coaches and players better Tucker didn't waste any time committing. "It was the right fit for me." Tucker told All Eyes on U Hoops, when he got back home to Seattle from a weekend in Kalamazoo. "We formed a special bond and we talked about coming in together and making something special here." Tucker visited at the same time as fellow Western 2013 commit Leo Svete and target JD Tisdale. While it was Tucker's first time visiting Kalamazoo he has a long history with Coach Hawkins. "I met Coach Hawk 8 years ago and we just kept running in to each other." Tucker said. "I really believe everything happens for a reason."
Tucker was also hearing from Seattle University, Montana and Idaho State but Western Michigan was his first offer and that met something. "They were my first offer, and they offered me first, so I felt a strong connection." Haymond said. "You can only get so much for the phone, once I was there it just felt like home." Tucker said. "Even though Seattle is 2200 miles away, Kalamazoo felt like Seattle to me. I just couldn't pass up the right decision."
Tucker finished his AAU campaign with Seattle Rotary. "In the spring I was hurt with a sprain ankle that just wouldn't go away." Tucker said. "Then in July both me and the team played our best basketball in Vegas." With AAU done and his college decision out of the way Tucker has one goal and one goal only. "Win states." Haymond said. "We got their the last two years, and we know what we have to do." Tucker added. "I don't care about personal gain or getting my name in the paper, I just want a ring."
Tucker is a versatile wing that can shoot, rebound and get to the basket. He is currently working on his PG skills to add more to his game. "I am going to be able to play the 2 or the 3 so if I continue to work on my point guard skills it will be just one more thing that I can do to help my team win."
Tucker had a great attitude when he was asked about the recruiting process. "I like that it was all up to me." Tucker said. "I controlled what happened and it was no ones fault but mine if it didn't work out the way I wanted it to." Tucker continued. "I had to put the work in, because scholarships are not handed out." With his goal reached don't expect Tucker to stop working though. "I just want to keep climbing that latter until I can't climb it anymore." Tucker said. Then he added, "I'm not done climbing yet."
