Tyler Fry

The newest member invited to join the WarParty and participate with the Native ABA is Tyler Fry. Tyler is a 6’3″ 180 lbs. guard and is a member of the Hupa Tribe in Northern California. Tyler has experience playing in college and professionally. During the off-season, Tyler also competes in Native basketball tournaments throughout the West Coast. Tyler went to Yuba City High School, and where he was a two-time conference MVP. After high school, he played for Yuba College for two years. As a freshman at Yuba College, the 49ers made it to the state championship game and were runners-up in California. California has its own national championship in junior college athletics due to many Junior colleges in the state. After playing at Yuba College for his freshman and sophomore season, Tyler transferred to Holy Names University for his Junior and senior season. Holy Names University is a Division 2 school located in Oakland, California. As a junior, Tyler averaged 15.5 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, and two steals per game while shooting a league-leading 41% from the three-point line. Tyler was recognized as All-PacWest Honorable Mention team and voted the Holy names Male athlete of the year. Some players statistically stay the same throughout their college career while others improve. Tyler was able to improve his 3-point percentage and free throw percentage year after year. The ability to improve your fundamentals takes hard work and discipline during the off-season. After Tyler used up his college eligibility, he continued his basketball career by playing professionally with the Yuba City Gold Miners of the ABA. While playing with the Yuba City Gold Miners, He was a top 20 score in the league. A small percentage of Native American athletes get the opportunity to play college basketball; Tyler is one of a select few that have played all four years of college basketball and continued to play basketball professionally after college. Tyler’s dream of playing professional basketball internationally for the Maitland Mustangs in Australia was destroyed due to covid, and he was forced to return to America. Tyler is one of the more experienced and successful basketball players in Indian country. His knowledge of the game will be heavily depended on to lead the next generation of Native basketball. Most Native players are not willing to make the sacrifices in the classroom, weight room, or on the court to succeed in college basketball year after year. Tyle has shown that his work ethic and discipline have made him successful in basketball and must be recognized throughout Indian country. The failures of Native Athletes in college are too common but are often the justification not to recruit Native athletes. Native basketball players who have the dedication and discipline to succeed in college are not recognized enough for their hard work, and Tyler is one of them. The Native ABA values and appreciates Native basketball players like Tyler and the many others making the sacrifices to be successful in college and professional basketball.