When Tyrone Nared was a freshman in high school he was taller than the average boy at 5-feet,
10-inches, but in the next three years he gained 8 inches and graduated at 6-feet, 6-inches tall. He continued to grow physically when he played in community college as a freshman in Rhode Island, and his sophomore year at Monroe College in the Bronx, New York. Dana Altman came to the East Cast calling for Nared after his sophomore season, and Tyrone is very happy that he chose to come out west to play for the Ducks. He believes the Oregon experience has also helped him grow as a man.

The Ducks are counting on the lanky 6-feet, 8-inch forward to provide them with a spark every game down the stretch of the season.

Background:
Played the 2009-10 season for Monroe College (Bronx, N.Y.), helping the Mustangs advance to both Region 15 and District 3 championships … He played in 37 of the 38 available games, starting 24 of those outings… Led Monroe to a 29-8 overall record and a seventh-place finish at the 2010 NJCAA National Tournament … Boasted the team’s top field goal percentage (57.0 percent, 114-of-200), while averaging 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game … Received District 3 All-Tournament team and tourney MVP honors, Region 15 All-Tournament team recognition, as well as the Region 15 Sportsmanship Award in 2009-10 … Played at Community College of Rhode Island (Warwick, R.I.) Averaged 12.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game as a freshman during the 2008-09 season, leading the Knights to their fifth-straight Region 11 Tournament Championship … Received All-American honors for his play that freshman season at CCRI … An all-state performer at Woonsocket High School in Woonsocket, R.I., under the direction of coach Preston Murphy.

2010-11 | SEASON
Played in all 39 games, a starter in the last 21 outings Averaged 5.1 points per game … Ranked third in the team in rebounding (3.9 rpg, 153) and led the team in blocks (0.8 bpg, 30)… Scored career-high 16 points (7-of-9 on field goals) Feb. 24 against California… Scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds Feb. 5 against No. 20 Washington … Recorded first double-double posting 14 points and a career-high 10 rebounds Jan. 29 at California… Registered Oregon-bests with 13 points and six rebounds in Nov. 23 home win over Texas Southern.

Coach Dana Altman on Nared:
“His athleticism is great. We watched game video and there was a big difference in the energy level between the Stanford and Cal games. He was disappointed in himself.

Energy is such a big part when you’re an athlete like him and you have to make athletic plays. There’s only one speed you can play at and he recognizes that, and will try to make the adjustment.

He’s a 6’8” athlete who can block shots and run the floor… definitely a big key for us.”

DI: Tyrone, where did you grow up?
TN: Woonsocket, Rhode Island. It was really small. It’s a city nobody really knows about. Wasaka is really quiet and laid back, and there’s not too much to do there. So, I was kind of glad I got a chance to go to New York and play junior college ball there. I experienced the East Coast for awhile, then I came out here. I think it was a great choice for my life to experience something new.”
DI: What do you like about being in Eugene?
TN: “The people I meet and the way they treat me. There’s so much respect, and I just feel like I’m at home. That’s why I didn’t mind staying out here for the past two years. To be able to play basketball, which I love to do, and meet new people all around the world outside of the East Coast.

DI: What sports did you play in Rhode Island?
TN: “I actually played football in high school. I was a wide receiver. I was always fast. My freshman year of high school I was actually only about 5’10.” I had growth spurts in my sophomore year. I tried football for one year, but I realized basketball was what I really wanted to do, so I stuck with it. That’s where my ability stood out more.

DI: Offensively, what part of your game do you like
the most?
TN: “I like the inside more. I can’t really set up outside too much because we have a lot of guards who can shoot already, so I don’t need to add on to that. I’ll do it to make mismatches, but as far as inside, like dunks, offensive rebounds, put backs, couple of post moves and solid inside game is what I like more.”

DI: What do you think are your strengths and areas to improve upon?
TN: “I was talking to my coach about it and he was explaining to me how I need to keep the energy up, which is true because I’m an athletic 6-8 four playing in and out. So, I have to be ready to bring that energy level all the time. When I see myself slacking a little bit, I need to lift myself up, which my teammates do, but I need to keep myself motivated to help my team out. I’ve got certain abilities that others can’t do that I need to take advantage of.

Energy is a big part of my game. I can shoot the three, the midrange and drive a little bit. My post game is OK. I don’t have anything I do really, really great, but I can do a little bit of everything, which helps me out and helps the team out.”

DI: How’s the team chemistry?
TN: “It’s a lot better than it was at the beginning of the season, but there’s always room for more improvement. When we play as a team, we don’t think anyone can beat us.”

DI: How do you approach your senior season?
TN: “It’s my last year of college ball, and I have aspirations of playing after here, so I have to fight through some stuff, be a man about it and do what I got to do.”

DI: What do you need to do to see your pro aspirations come true?
TN: “Just getting better every day. That’s just going to take care of itself with what I do in the offseason. Right now I’m just focused on our team goals, and that’s to win a Pac-12 championship, and really take it from there and see what we can do, because I believe if we stick together from here on out, we can do something special.”

DI: What has been you highlight game as a Duck?
TN: “It would definitely have to be the USC game (win over Trojans to in Matt Knight opener last January). Another highlight would be here against Cal when I caught the ball with one hand and put it back with two…that was pretty impressive (laughs). It was fun.”

DI: Do you practice dunks?
TN: “It’s not something I really need to practice. Like my coaches tell me, it’s just effort. You have to go get it. Not just a highlight dunk, but an offensive rebound to get the crowd into it and get our team going.”

DI: How’s school going?
TN: “I’m majoring in sociology. I had a good semester last term…a 2.8 GPA I believe. I’m looking forward to graduating. After basketball I’d like to maybe be a coach or physical education teacher…something around sports.”

DI: How do you think the team is going to do the rest of the season?
TN: “I think we’re going to do well as long as we practice well on a daily basis.”