Royal Vision Podcast

Season 1, Episode 9: The Relentless Mindset Tyler Jones on Earning It Every Day

• Coach Matthew • Season 1 • Episode 9

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In Season 1, Episode 9 of the Royal Vision Podcast, Coach Matthew sits down with standout athlete and leader Tyler Jones for an inspiring deep dive into the grind behind greatness. From early mornings to late nights, Tyler shares what it truly means to live with purpose, discipline, and an unwavering belief in yourself.

We unpack his journey through the highs and lows, how he stays locked in mentally, and what it takes to show up every day when nobody’s watching. Whether you're an athlete, a creative, or just someone chasing a vision—this conversation will light a fire in you.

👑 Tune in and get ready to be fueled by passion, precision, and pure grit.

Tyler Jones

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Coach Matthew:

Welcome to the Kingdom Guys. This episode nine of Royal Vision Podcast. Got another basketball player for y'all. So he's a combo guard outta Spring Mills High School plays for Adapt Academy. A U team has been competing at a high level since middle school originally grew up in Charlestown, currently lives in Falling Waters. Just recently won the four A State West Virginia Boys Basketball Championship. Just recently scored 34 points up at the Pit Jam Fest. So without further ado, give it up for thee. Tyler Jones.

Tyler Jones:

My God, appreciate your dog. Yes, sir. Alright, fantastic.

Coach Matthew:

You go. How's everything going man? Good man. How you

Tyler Jones:

been?

Coach Matthew:

Fantastic. Can't complain at all. Right off the bat, you're a basketball player. Where did you first fall in love with basketball?

Tyler Jones:

Since the age of two, my dad coached at Jefferson High School. When he was like in his mid, like early or late twenties early thirties. And I just was always being in the gym, being around a lot of basketball players, just living in the gym and I just fell in love with it.

Coach Matthew:

Sure.. So you said he started off at Jefferson High School? Yes sir. So that's where you grew up? Yeah. At Jefferson? Yeah. Jefferson County. So what was it like being in Jefferson County?

Tyler Jones:

It was just like, I mean it was always just home. It's why I grew up. So like I can still go back there. I know all the streets how to get my way, get around like driving and stuff like that. So it just feels like home. It felt like home,

Coach Matthew:

so what ultimately ended up make causing you guys to leave Jefferson County come over to. Spring Mill. So

Tyler Jones:

when I was going into sixth grade my dad got a call from Luke Samples. Okay. And he was like, Hey, you wanna be, be an assistant coach. And my dad was like, yeah I love coaching and stuff like that. He, I got a younger son too. He's gonna be in sixth grade and I have a brother that's gonna be in fifth grade, so he is bring him up the program and stuff like that. Here I am today. So ultimately, my dad coaching we found a nice piece of land. It's it's close to, closer to ville actually. And we built a house and been here ever since.

Coach Matthew:

Cool. Now, have there been any other sports that you picked up along the path other than basketball?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. In eighth grade I played football. I had a lot of success. I played receiver like that and I always played baseball growing up too. I recently started playing baseball, my PO for the team, and I played the field sometimes, when we're up big.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. Yeah. What's, what do you feel like is the different aspect that you get from baseball and playing football than you do from basketball? What was it that set separated basketball from the rest of those?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, for sure. Basketball was just kinda like a quick pace. Like I like that quick pace, like baseball, unless I was pitching, I was like just like sitting in the field bored. Oh. And football, football was fun. It was a lot of action, but still just wasn't had it. It didn't have the basketball like that I love go get it on offense. Go get a bucket, get a stop talk that talk your trash. Yeah, just it brought like a different I have like crazy energy. Yeah. So I could use that the most in basketball. So I love that a lot about basketball.

Coach Matthew:

So you feel like you, baseball's kind of got like a slow pace that doesn't match your energy. You're like one of those, Hey, let's go. Yeah. Unless

Tyler Jones:

I was pitching I just couldn't like, like I could be into the game, but unless I was pitching, I just couldn't find that like energy, like that spark, like I loved like playing basketball.

Coach Matthew:

So what do you feel like are some of the defining moments early in your career that led you to success?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, I feel at a young age, like when we first moved to our new house, we put a basketball hoop up. And then covid hit. So like literally all summer I just stay in the driveway and shoot and shoot and shoot. Invite my friends over. We play one-on-one for hours, like from sun up to sundown, like we just were playing out there. And then I played middle school, but I was in seventh grade, but I played up on eighth grade team and I got starting spots. So like I felt like that really got my confidence going and like I was competing with like older kids and I ever since then, it's just took off.

Coach Matthew:

So you were in sixth grade during Covid? Yeah. So how do you feel like Covid. Really affected your game and affected your mindset today?

Tyler Jones:

Honestly I feel like for me, it helped me a lot because it was like covid, like you're gonna either make it or break it. So like a lot of kids, stayed inside play video games, just

Coach Matthew:

yeah,

Tyler Jones:

didn't work out. But for me it was like, no, like I'm gonna go out here, I'm gonna work out, I'm gonna shoot a lot of shots. Even at at a young age, like not doing like all the physical, like weightlifting, stuff like that.'cause I was younger, but like just putting up shots, keeping that daily grind going or just getting up shots, trying to compete against my buddies, my friends just staying in the gym and, staying, getting reps up and stuff like that.

Coach Matthew:

So what was your motivator? To not be like the crowd and you stay inside, eat a whole bunch of junk food and actually go out there and put in work?

Tyler Jones:

Honestly, the last dance the Michael Jordan documentary on Netflix, it came out right when Covid hit. Yeah. And I was like, I wanna be like that. I wanna have the work ethic like that. I wanna have the determination to drive like that. And yeah, that just and my dad too. My dad was like, Hey, you're gonna right here. It's gonna make or break you. You gonna keep working or you gonna do this? Like I just feel like those motivators in my life like just really helped. And ultimately I wanted it too.'cause I wanted to be the best of my ability.

Coach Matthew:

So what's one lesson you took away from the last dance?

Tyler Jones:

From the last dance, I would say his work ethic and like the way he stayed on his teammates, like he didn't try to just be the best player. He wanted his teammates around him to be good so they could have a good team.'cause he can't win a championship by yourself. Yeah. Like he was the greatest of all time. But you can't win a championship by yourself. The way he made his teammates better, like the way he pushed 'em at practice and stuff like that. I think that's the biggest lesson I took from the last day for

Coach Matthew:

sure. It was a really good documentary. Seen it multiple times, but just, and then when you learn about the flu game, not really being the flu game. That's crazy. Yeah. That's nuts. Somebody like that did something to his pizza.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. That's crazy. And like he, he's, 'cause he was so hungry, it was like two in the morning he spent on it so no one else could have and eat the whole pizza. Wake like three in the morning he's puking and he's oh it's, he sold it up and had 37 points. Something like, yeah, it's crazy.

Coach Matthew:

So how do you feel like your upbringing and your environment influenced your mindset today?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah my parents, they always taught me like hard work. Like they're not gonna like just gimme me everything. And I grew up in a Christian based home, so we all stayed in church and so like going to church on Sunday is non-negotiable, so I feel like that really like the non-negotiables in your life, like working hard, putting family in God first and stuff like that. Really it helped, create my drive and just, to stay, always stay positive and keep a strong work ethic. My parents just instilled in me at a young age and just carried with me throughout my life.

Coach Matthew:

So how do you feel like religion's had an impact on your mindset in your life?

Tyler Jones:

Oh, for me, Jesus, and God, they, they're my number one. I wanna be who I am today without them, they just keeping them the front point makes everything else so much easier. Tough decision. I'm not gonna stress about, I'm gonna go to God, pray about it. I think when you pray about it and you meditate on it, it really helps. So I think a lot of big decisions like come to Spring Mills. Just stuff like that. Like I went to Gretty for a year.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah.

Tyler Jones:

But I prayed about that and honestly that was God's plan. We got a, a six foot nine foreign exchange brother from the Congo of Africa, and he'll be my brother forever. I wouldn't have got that without, going to Gretty and getting him. It wasn't like a bad year for me.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah.

Tyler Jones:

I miss my friends, I miss my school, but, God had a bigger plan to get Caleb, so and now I'm back and I'm doing great. Ultimately it was his plan. So just trusting in God, I think's the big, been the biggest thing for me and just decisions, not leaning on just myself, but leaning on God.

Coach Matthew:

So you talk about you were at Goretti, what ultimately did caused you to switch to Goretti, but then eventually switch back to Spring Mills?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Going to spring Mills Middle, and being with the high school, like working out with them and stuff, I just, Gretty came calling. They came and watched a lot of middle school games and a lot of, a u games that summer and they, they wanted me pretty bad, so I was like, my dad talked about it. He was like, it might be a good opportunity. We'll go here for a year. We were planning to go there like my full four years, but it shut down. Yeah. And I wanted to come back too, but honestly, I think it's just God at that point I don't know why I went there. Like I was still like, on the fence. Yeah. But I think it's just God, honestly, I had no idea we were gonna get Caleb and then looking back on it now, like it's just God. Like I can't really say anything else about it. It's just God, getting killed and stuff like that. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

So you're talking about, so Caleb plays a Towson, doesn't he? Yeah. So how, what lessons do you feel like you've learned from Caleb? What do you feel like he's taught you?

Tyler Jones:

I've learned so much from him. Just he's a hard worker. His faith is unbelievable. Three years ago he was in the Congo of Africa, had no idea, not having the best living situation. If there's a war in Congo right now, it's still going on. And, just not knowing when he is gonna get his next meal, when he is gonna get his next chance to play basketball. Just his faith is just it's insane. And he just teaches me to, always be humble because it could be way worse like in the when you're at drill low, so could be an even lower. So just, just to stay faithful and stay humble and, just always be thankful for what you have. I think he's taught me the most with that.

Coach Matthew:

Do you feel, so what, at this point in your life, I know you're 17, but, or 18, right? Yeah, I just turned 18. Yeah. Okay. So what do you feel has been like the lowest point up to this point in your life, and what do you feel like you've done to overcome that?

Tyler Jones:

Honestly, I feel like the lowest point would be, going to like to gore and like just missing all my friends and like missing like the, that Friday night and atmosphere like. And seeing all them like just play and without me, like I feel like I let them down, 'cause like I left, like I should be there with them working hard with them. I feel like a lot of my friends down. So I just felt like that's so selfish. I left my friends that we've been working with since middle school. Yeah. I would just I felt so down at that time, like I let them all down. Like I go hang out with 'em, be like, man, like I just feel bad like I left, but like I can't do anything about it. And looking back on that, I still, God, got Caleb and stuff like that. But. Just probably that, just seeing my friends like out there playing and me just like feeling, I just felt so selfish going to Gretty, like I felt like leaving them out. That was probably the lowest point I would say.

Coach Matthew:

Do you think it's possible you just took a chance on yourself and it ended up working out?

Tyler Jones:

I think, yeah. It's that I did take a, I did take a yes and no.'cause like my parents were also like, they were pushing me to go that route a little bit. But yeah, I was confident, like the grads are great, at playing a good conference. But I feel like yeah. I knew I could do that. I'm a com I'm a competitor. But at the end of the day, I just miss like that Friday night light atmosphere. Yeah. And playing with my friends. Just nothing like it.

Coach Matthew:

I get it. But what do you feel like you learned from Gretty the most? Where do you feel like your game evolved in that year or two? At Goretti?

Tyler Jones:

Honestly, it involved like the, the fire playing with pace, it's so quick down there in the Catholic League, like those kids are different. Like you got, you're playing against three or four stars night in, night out. So just, ramping your game up and you can't take, it's either sink or swim. You gotta go in there, you gotta play. So probably just, playing hard at competing and never getting never just like staying, always gotta be alert, always gotta know what's going on. Probably just that, the pace the speed of the game probably sp up.

Coach Matthew:

So what are some challenges you feel like athletes commonly face in their early stages of their career?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, I feel like when you're younger, you only get older guys. You're getting beat up, you're getting bullied, you're getting the guys like, I feel you, you gotta take that, you gotta take that on the chest and be like, look, I'm younger. I gotta still compete. But I feel like a lot of kids get down themselves'cause they're not doing as good as the older kids. Yeah. I personally did that'cause I get upset. I'd be like, dang, I can't do that. I can't do this. But I'm like, I'm only in middle school. These kids, these guys are high school. So I feel it's good to go against older competition because you see what you gotta bring to the table as you get older. But don't get down yourself because that's a lot of athletes who'll just get down to themselves. I can't do that. I can't do that. No. You're just younger. You know what I'm saying? So just don't get down on yourself if you're, getting, getting beat up at practice and you're younger. Just keep going.'cause you'll get there.

Coach Matthew:

Oh, it's the perception of what's it called? Experience. Yeah, experience. They just had more experience. Yeah. More experience at that point.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

How do you feel like personal experiences outside of sports have shaped the way an athlete competes?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, so so you're talking about like outside of like

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. So like personal experiences, so anything outside of the sports that you feel like really shaped the way that you compete.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Me and my dad, like when I was younger, like we'd always work out like. Outside just so like our team and stuff we just go on runs, go to the gym and, I feel like he installed that in me you can't do not whatever. You don't quit. Keep, just keep going. And so I feel like that, like to the game and to like my team practice, stuff like that. Like always being the hardest worker. He's every time I come over for practice, he'd be like, did, were you the hardest worker? And I'd be like, yes or no? He's be honest. Were you the hardest worker? So I feel like just, having my dad like install that in me and just the work ethic and stuff like that just really helped me. With like practices and games just to go the hardest

Coach Matthew:

because I noticed when you're at practice, you, especially training sessions, you and Quai, you guys are always going back and forth. Yeah. Trying to outwork one another. And another thing is the gym. So you you're always in the gym, get, explain that. And I feel like you don't take any days off, right? Really, ever. No,

Tyler Jones:

I'm always working like, I keep a bow in my locker, so after baseball practice, I'll go and shoot for an hour and a half. Just always trying to find ways to get better, if I struggle with something like this weekend, I'll go I'll go, hone it in and the gym will work on that for an hour and a half. I just feel like when you're in the gym and you prepare yourself, there's not a better feeling going to the game when you're feeling prepared. So if I don't prepare myself, I'm just, slacking off. Just not going to the gym, just doing like the least amount I can. I don't feel prepared, going, prepared, going to the game. But if I'm in the gym for hour and a half a day, lifting, I feel strong. I feel ready to go in the game. Yeah. So ultimate that's gonna help me play better. That's just my mindset.

Coach Matthew:

So what aspect of training do you like more? Do you like the weight aspect or do you enjoy the basketball fundamental aspect?

Tyler Jones:

That's tough. I love being in the weight room because I like seeing the gains, but I feel like there's nothing better than just working hard, getting like a good sweat in just keep going and like getting shots up with your boys. There's just, or being in that gym at nine o'clock at night, only one in there, ball bouncing, you're sweating. There's just not a better feeling than that. So I feel like. I love lifting weights, but, basketball's my first love. So being in the gym, getting shots up, honing in your game, like just feeling efficient. There's no better feeling than that. I'll say it's definitely, the fundamental aspect of it.

Coach Matthew:

So walk me through a, how many days a week do you train or do you out too?

Tyler Jones:

I try to go, I try to go every day and try to like just lift on Sundays. So like sometimes I'll play pickup on Sundays, but I try to go every day.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. So you try to lift every day? No. Or just,

Tyler Jones:

just, I try to get in the gym every day. Like with basketball, she was on my house, but I lift four to five days a week.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. So let's just say today where you're lifting and you're getting into the gym. Walk me through, that training session into the, then the gym fundamental session.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. I'll either go to the extreme with my buddies, Bradley and Ryland, I say and we'll just get like away either whatever, like we're on, like chest, legs, back, whatever we're on. We'll hit that and then, just depending if I have baseball practice, not like I have baseball practice.

Coach Matthew:

So

Tyler Jones:

Let's say we have school I baseball practice, I'll go to baseball practice, I'll get get changed and then after practice I'll go into to the gym and just shoot for an hour and a half work on finishing, shooting and ball handling and try to get 150 shots up. And then I'll work on ball hand for 20 minutes. Okay. So that's what I do basically.

Coach Matthew:

And where do you feel like, how long have you been doing that? How long has that been your, like regime? Your

Tyler Jones:

Yeah every time I get in the gym I've been just trying to, whatever I feel like I need to work on that day. I don't have a set schedule, just whatever I need to work on. I feel like that, honestly, since middle school. Since middle school, yeah. Since middle school. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

That's cool. That's good. I, there's not a lot of kids that do that and then so what would you tell the kids that want to do something like that, but don't know how to start?

Tyler Jones:

Honestly, it just. It starts with finding your motivation. What's your reason? What's your why? And 'cause the best, if you don't have motivation to do that, then there it is not gonna, you're not gonna work hard. Yeah. So find your motivation first, and then just, if it's not gonna be pretty at first, you're gonna struggle. You're gonna, you're gonna feel tired, you're gonna feel weak. But 'cause I felt the same way, but you just gotta keep going.'cause once you get to get consistent you'll start to feel the, the gains and stuff like that.

Coach Matthew:

So you're talking about whys? What are your whys?

Tyler Jones:

My whys? I want to. God gave me the talent, so I want to use, I wanna use it. Like I, I'm not just gonna, he gave me a tool, so I wanna use it to the best of my ability. Honestly, God gave me this body and this, this work ethic, so I wanna use that. And my dad, I wanna make my dad proud, like I, yeah, he's had so much influence in my life and, I wanna make him proud too. So that has a lot to do with it too.

Coach Matthew:

I get though, I get that, I get, wanting to be the best. Yeah. Or, the most valuable out there and make an impact. For your family, for everybody, that means something to you. Yeah, I get it. I understand. So what lessons from your past have helped you succeed in both sports and in life?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. I feel like I've been like, a little cocky at sometimes and people don't like that. Middle school man, I was so cocky. Like I wouldn't always like I knew I was good, but I was just, I would boast and I it just wasn't like, and I can tell it's making people mad and stuff like that. So I feel like the biggest thing for me, just staying humble. Learn, like learning from my past, being cocky, doing all this, all that. But just let your game talk. You don't gotta, you don't gotta boast, you don't gotta be out there, trying to, show kids up all the time, just let your game talk and people like that more in the long run.

Coach Matthew:

I get that. I understand. I think sometimes people confuse cockiness with confidence. Yeah, for sure. I think that's the biggest misunderstanding there just. I can go, I being cocky is Hey, I'm better than you. I'm this, I'm that. I feel like confidence is no I'm pretty good. I know that I'm good. I know the value that I bring, so I'm just gonna own it. Yeah. I feel like when you separate, just being from talking about it, it's, there's a big difference. Yeah. So how do you feel like athletes develop a strong mental game, and why do you feel like that's so important?

Tyler Jones:

Mental game's huge. Especially in baseball. I'm just gonna start with baseball. Like a good a good day at the plate is one for three and that's only one hit. Yeah. And you can strike out one time or you can pop out one time. Like that's getting one hit. That's a good day. But you could still be, I only got one hit. Slow down yourself. Like you gotta keep that. You gotta keep that momentum going for your, from your one hit. So baseball is it's huge. But for basketball, I feel like the biggest mental thing is, don't get caught up in the game. People are gonna trash talk. People are gonna, say this, the crowd's gonna have a huge you're playing in front 2000 fans, crowd's gonna be yelling at you. Stay locked in, stay with your boys, stay with their teammates. Especially, playing down in Charleston and that state championship game, people scream and people yelling. You gotta stay with your boys. Just stay calm, stay poised. And just having that strong me Melo game where focus on your plays, focus on the scout, execute everything, and you win games.

Coach Matthew:

So you talk about like trash talk and you said that use trash talk. So what is the motivator behind trash talk?

Tyler Jones:

That's just how I've always played. Like especially if I'm playing someone like, I'm not really a huge of, I'm gonna go after him. I don't want him to be able to say that he got the best of me that game, so I'm gonna, I'm gonna talk my trash, especially a couple games I can go back on. And, I talked to pretty bad. I would probably apologize to 'em for what I said at the time now. But, it's just I don't want them to say they had a better game than me, so I'm gonna do whatever I can to get in their head. I'm gonna trash talk, I may go play I'm gonna tell 'em about it, okay. So that's just how I'm gonna approach it.

Coach Matthew:

So I feel you're pretty cool with B Swan. So is that like a goat, like one of your favorite games to play in? Yeah, I like because he went to Jefferson. I like

Tyler Jones:

playing against B Swan, but that's my, I was with him last night. Yeah, we just played him on last night, but we just joke around. Yeah. We don't really trash talk much, but. I just joke around with them, but I like playing against Muslim. Em, I have a lot of like Muslim men, like a lot of kids I'm not a huge fan of. So that's my, that's a big game. I'm like, I'm gonna talk my trash this game. I look forward to that.

Coach Matthew:

And how do you feel like that Mo like talking trash, how do you feel like that motivates you to play better or just be more consistent out there?

Tyler Jones:

It's just I'm not letting you score and I'm gonna score on you every single time so I can talk my trash.'cause I know exactly what I'm gonna say. I talk my trash, but I gotta execute first. So I'm like, I don't execute, I can't talk my trash, I gotta execute, get a couple buckets, make a couple good defensive plays just so I can talk.

Coach Matthew:

And so one thing that I recognize is, so last summer. I feel like you were consistently out there, consistently starting, then you get to the season and you're not getting all the minutes that you got during the summer. Yeah. How did you maintain a strong mindset in order to still produce when you're out there on the court?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, for sure. Honestly, it was just being engaged just falling in love with the team. Like not wearing on myself, just, getting with the team and like just having my boys back and like when my name's called, go out there and do my thing. But we had such a good team. We had a lot of seniors, so being the sixth man, some games started and being the sixth man just coming there, bringing the energy. Hitting shots, playing good defense, hyping my guys up. Just, honestly playing my role. And it worked out.

Coach Matthew:

It did. So getting to playing the state championship game, walk me through that experience,

Tyler Jones:

man. That was, I've been too, and it's a once in a lifetime myself. Didn't play much. But this year was different 'cause I knew. I knew we had to get it done for the seniors, for CT, Loki, chase Max. Like I knew we had to get it done for them. Just being in there, being in that environment I cannot let my boys, graduate without a ring. Yeah. So there was like either win or that's Yeah, like we have to win. There's no question like, we gotta win this game.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah. Where do you feel like. Where do you feel like you made the most impact during that game?

Tyler Jones:

Probably like on the boards, I think I grabbed three big rebounds. That I didn't even score that game actually. We only hit 2, 2 2 threes and Max hit one and chase it. Me and Quay and Loka, our best three pointers all here didn't even hit one. Yeah. Probably on defensive end and just rebounding honestly, my energy, on the bench and like coming in the game and just, just playing big spot minutes.

Coach Matthew:

So everybody always talks about, especially with basketball, your points and how much you score, but. How do you see the hardworking things like the rebounds, the assists the unself, the unselfish things make a bigger impact than just the points.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. It's like the linemen in football, like the linemen of football get no love, but they do they block for the Cuba, they build the holes for the running back. It is it's kinda like the unknown work, but you gotta do it to win. Yeah. So you're not gonna get to recognized for, grabbing five rebounds, having to assist ice passes, setting your guys up. But. It's gotta be done. And I feel like with my energy, it helps me a lot. Staying active on the glass, making the right pass, being in gaps, getting a deflection, the sealer too, just helps change the whole game honestly.

Coach Matthew:

What strategies, how badly stay focused and confident under pressure?

Tyler Jones:

Honestly, just, staying locked in. Don't, do not pay attention to outside noise.'cause once you start paying attention to that crowd. There's gonna be a hundred different things going through your mind. I gotta impress him, I gotta impress this, I gotta do that, I gotta do this. Just staying with your guys, staying with your team, communicating on defense. Talking on defense. Just so you know, like having communication on the court helps you stay locked in the game because if you're, like, if you're locked in the game, talking to your guys, you can't lie. You can't be like, you're in Gap. No. You're in help because you're talking, you're like, I'm a gap. I'm a gap. I'm a gap. I'm gonna help. I'm gonna help. And I help. You're just worried about, you're worried about your team, making sure everybody's in the right place. You're not worried about the outside noise. So that's what helps me.

Coach Matthew:

So how do block out the outside noise? What what strategies do you go through? Because, sometimes external pressures they can get to you.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. The strategy I use is they're on the sidelines. They bought a ticket to watch you play. Yeah. Yeah. So don't worry about them like they're here watching you play. So just honestly just play. Just play. Let play loose. Play with emotion, not emotionally. Sam was also said that play with emotion. So like you're playing hard, you're playing with emotion. Don't play emotionally, don't want the emotion to get the best of you. So yeah, like they paid to watch you play put a show on for them, but don't listen to what, don't listen to what they say.

Coach Matthew:

And also, I know most athletes, they have a game, pre-game routine that they go through in order to get prepared. So what's your pre-game routine?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, I having fun in the locker room with the guys, getting hype. I listen to some music, but normally we have the speaker playing. The music, some candy before the game, gets, get some sugar in you. Honestly, like just going cr, just yelling, screaming, banging heads off lockers. Just get as much energy as you can, like just getting fired up, pulling a little bit of trash when you go out. That's just setting the tone, honestly. That's the best thing I can put it that way.

Coach Matthew:

So one thing I noticed is you have a different approach to the game than most players, I feel like you're one of those people where it's like you like to get hype. Yeah. You like to get full of energy. Yeah. Most other players. They like, I like calm music. Like to be relaxed. What? Why is that? I just,

Tyler Jones:

I can't play I can't play calm. If I'm like, calm before the game, I feel like I'm just like lackadaisical and tired. I like, I have to get up for each and every game. Like I gotta, bang my head off a locker, punch a locker, run a couple sprints, just get up and I can't play calm. I gotta be, I gotta be like shaken a little bit. Almost.

Coach Matthew:

Almost. What? Like you just,

Tyler Jones:

yeah, you just can't wait to get out there. Yeah, like you just. Something in me just, I can't play calm, I gotta get up for this game. I can't, like if it's a, like we're playing like an not a good team, I'll make something up my head. He said this about me, or he said this about my mom or he made this up. I'll just go after one guy and just, he just set my mind on that and I'm just crazy from the jump.

Coach Matthew:

So giving yourself a reason to go out there and punch somebody in the face. Yeah. Got pretty much,

Tyler Jones:

yeah. Yeah, that's what I gotta do.

Coach Matthew:

I get it. But pre-game meal, do you have any, I know normally they make you guys food, but what would your be your go-to pre-game meal? My go-to,

Tyler Jones:

honestly. The best meal. We probably this year, chicken alfredo. Chicken Alfredo. Oh my gosh. Not too much, but that was probably the best meal we had all year. And that was probably my go-to. We had it like two or three times.

Coach Matthew:

Okay. That,

Tyler Jones:

and then I gotta get like a pack of Skittles or starboard or something like that before the game.

Coach Matthew:

So what is it behind the candy? The

Tyler Jones:

candy. I just, I like to get something fresh, a little bit of sugar going through your blood and just taste good for the game. It calm you down a little bit too,

Coach Matthew:

because I never, I was always one of those athletes where it's like. Yeah. I can't eat candy before a game. Yeah. I can't eat. I eat Chinese one time it didn't go over well but I've always been like I don't wanna say jealous, but curious like how athletes can eat that before a game and still go out there and just perform their best.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. I feel like there's there's a balance. You can't eat like a whole like, big pack of gummy wordss before the game. Yeah. Because then you're just gonna be, you're gonna be cramping and stuff like that. I feel like a little pack of Skittles or like a little pack of like starburst is not gonna kill you. So it's having the balance only too much, but don't eat too little, okay. Just find like a good medium.

Coach Matthew:

So then once you step on that court, do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions when you're out there? Or is it

Tyler Jones:

In warmups I'm yelling. I'm screaming. Nah, not really. I just go out there and play just get hyped, just get excited. I don't really have any pre-game, like they're like LeBron, like Tyler, they don't really have any something. I don't really have anything like that. I always before I go to the court, I always like, handier, point to God. Just 'cause that. Yeah. And during the national anthem, I always pray. Okay. Until the, until it's over. I always pray for my teammates just to be safe and for us to get a win and keep me safe during the game, stuff like that.

Coach Matthew:

That's awesome. So how do you feel like athletes build resilience after a tough loss or a setback?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah down at the Greenbrier, we had obviously a lot of people know, we got, we didn't have the best trip down there.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah.

Tyler Jones:

Lost to Morgantown lost our coach. So like we were the, we were at the lowest of lows. We were still second rate team in the state, but man, we were like, we were low, like the morale was down. Guys were like, what's gonna happen next? This, that, honestly, just staying focused and just keep working hard and knowing that you have a good team. You're just having a little setback. You're in the valley there's gonna be, there's gonna be mountains, there's gonna be valleys all year long. And that was probably the lowest valley room was after the Greenbriar. Losing to Morgantown and having all that, scandal. Just, there was so much media on us, but for the wrong reasons. Yeah. So as a, teenager, it's a lot for a kid to, say, hearing this about you did this, you did that. Like just honestly, staying locked in, staying within your guys, within your locker room and just getting the next one game by game.

Coach Matthew:

So the Royal Vision Podcast, it's sponsored by Trophies Plus here in Martinsburg, West Virginia. If you're looking for sublimated mugs, trophies, awards, or even embroidered hats. Go to Trophies Plus in Martinsburg, West Virginia to go cop all those needs. So with all that external pressure, all that external noise, how do you maintain, your own sense of identity despite all these things being said about you?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah it's we know we didn't act the best, people are throwing like stuff on top of that. Like they were throwing like crazy allegations that none of us did. And it was just honestly just like laughing at it and like moving on. Alright we're gonna show you what we're really about. And then we came back, we didn't lose a game. We beat Hanley. Yeah. After we beat Hanley, I think in the locker room. Like we knew like, all right, we got this. Yeah. We're like, we're back. That was like our get back game. Like Hanley, like there was over 3000 fans there. Gym was packed. Standing room only. And like we were like, this is our game. This is the time to get back for our team. I think we, the guys went out and played great. Everybody had a great game and we were so locked in. We went by four Points and they, that was the team that was leading, that was the number one team in Virginia Yeah. At the time. So like that was a huge like statement win for us. So I feel like after that game we really locked back in and we're like, we got this.

Coach Matthew:

Because that was at a point after there had been like a couple weeks of snow, so there hadn't been a lot of basketball. Yeah, it got pushed back twice. Yeah.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Two reschedules. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

And that game, you guys even went into overtime in that game.

Tyler Jones:

That game was nuts. Yeah. It was wild. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

So what role do you feel like self-talk and internal dialogue play in performance?

Tyler Jones:

Talking to yourself like, especially I always had a hard time like, like memorizing the plays. So I would always like, especially like plays like drawn up for me or like I gotta be in a certain spot. Talking myself, like through what I'm gonna do. Like I'm gonna do this here, I'm gonna do this here. I'm gonna be in your gap. I'm gonna be in help. I'm gonna cut here to open him up. Like just, talking to myself about what I'm gonna do, like always thinking the next play ahead. So just stuff like that. And then talking to yourself like, you got this like he can't check you. Stuff like that, just talking to yourself can always help.

Coach Matthew:

So what are your go-to mindset, rituals in order to pick yourself up after, let's say you missed a couple shots in a row. Yeah. Maybe, you gave up a couple turnovers or,

Tyler Jones:

yeah. My dad always said he was like, shoot or shoot till you're on. So just keep shooting. Like I missed a couple threes early, just, keep shooting the next one. You start inside, get a layup, get a get to the free throw line, hit a midrange, then step it back out to three. So just work in and work out.

Coach Matthew:

So find a versatility, if this isn't working, then let me go to my next part of my game. Yep, yep. So how do you create that all around game to where even if something isn't hidden here, oh, I still got this to back me up.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, you can, you can always have offense on offense, but never on defense. You can never be off on defense. So co a coach Leighton always said he is you're nervous, get out there on defense. So picking up full court, playing a hard D that's gonna lead to, getting open shots and just having the confidence you're gonna make the next shot mentality, next play mentality. Just keeping that confidence high, not getting down on yourself and just looking to make the next play.

Coach Matthew:

So where do you feel like the most fear shows up in basketball? Is it fear of not scoring on offense or the fear of giving up points on defense?

Tyler Jones:

I feel like the fear of giving up points on defense.'cause that's like letting your team down. I. If you're giving up a blow by middle, you're like letting your team down. That's you. That's, if you're guarding a guy on the perimeter, that's like minorly amount, you gotta stop him. So I feel like for me, like I'm, I don't want to I know I'm gonna score on offense, like I'm gonna score, but like defensively, like I'm, I always gotta stay sharp on, on defense.'cause you ain't playing defense. You can't play, yeah. So that's. That's my mentality on that.

Coach Matthew:

So when you're on defense, what's your mentality?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. It's just stay in front, play hard. Always talk, always gotta talk on defense. Let my man know I got your gap, I got your help. And just force the guy, like if a guy's like struggling going left, they're struggling on right. Force him to his nondominant hand and then cutting 'em off. And like a lot of guys are like. If he's, if he can shoot and he's in the corner, you gotta stunt. You can't leave him too much. Yeah. So just knowing you're, the personnel, you're playing, I think helps a lot too.

Coach Matthew:

Now you play, you just recently played in Pittsburgh's Jam Fest. Yeah. A hoop group. And you've got you're playing against the best competition. How do you feel like your defense showed up the best out there?

Tyler Jones:

Honestly, being in like. A lot of teams were bigger than us being a help, helping, like helping down rotating backside, just like getting steals, like on the counters and what they would spend, attacking that. The attacking the ball, just putting pressure, like getting up in the guard. Don't let 'em have any, like free, nothing's free. Everything's gotta be contested. It's just, putting pressure on the ball probably.

Coach Matthew:

And where do you feel like you excelled the most up there? Like, how do you, what impact do you feel like that had on your life? Yeah. Or on basketball in general,

Tyler Jones:

Scoring for sure. Scoring. Like I had 34, the one game, then 20 the next game, just scoring the rock. But honestly, like my teammates, they set me up a good spot. We have a really good team they were setting me up in spots, I was picking my shots, picking my spots, just, yeah, probably scoring the rock for sure.

Coach Matthew:

And so going out there at Hoop Group, you got all these college coaches, college scouts, a lot of exposure, but. Where do you feel like you showed up and the people that I guess were meant for you, or the God planted for you just naturally showed up?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. I feel like it was that third game. It was we had two games the night before. We lost. Lost both. Lost first game by five. Second Game I won to Dov Gold, which was a huge game. They have a really good team and we could've won that game. We should've won that game. But just bouncing back, going home, getting something to eat play at 11 o'clock getting up, getting your mind right. You, I got a shower, just got up and said, God, use me today. If it's my day to, it'd be great. It is. If not, that's okay too. I was going the game with a good, fresh mindset. And we got off to a slow start. The first, I think it was like 16 to four, and I was like, we're not losing another game. We're not losing another game. So just, refusing to lose, like not wanting to lose. I'm gonna do anything I can to win. And, God put me in the spot. A lot of coaches hit the game and had a good game.

Coach Matthew:

So what are some common mental challenges that you feel like athletes face throughout their career?

Tyler Jones:

Confidence. Losing confidence if like you're playing and like you're not getting a lot of minutes, you think you should be playing, but you're not having a couple bad games, injuries, like injury after injury, that, that sucks. Like I know for a fact like. Like I'm, my ankle was hurt, like all last summer. It sucked, but I had to play through it. I was like, I was a little bit slower. Some games like, just can this just go away? But like just, staying positive, always no, there's, it could be worse. Like it could be worse. So just not feeling bad for yourself and just, always having that next game, next play mentality.

Coach Matthew:

So where do you feel like in your career, do you feel like you faced the biggest mental challenge that you overcame?

Tyler Jones:

Probably, come off the bench, I came off last year and I came off the bench. Like some games. Some games. I started the same thing this year, but I was mainly sixth man this year. So that I could have been a starter, like I knew that, but it was just like, don't be selfish. Don't be like, oh, poor me, I'm not starting this, that, just be there for your guys and I'm gonna get my minutes, so make the most of it and show the coach why I could start. Just stuff like that.

Coach Matthew:

So I know that now with the new transfer rule where you know, you get your one transfer regardless of where you live. How do you feel like that's had an impact on those kids that didn't play at their previous school? Yeah. What are your thoughts on that?

Tyler Jones:

I think it's, I think it's good and bad. Like I think it, it does hurt some programs like losing some kids. If the program struggling, you got a good kid ear, you lose him, then you're just stuck. And 'cause you can't really go out and recruit. That's, coaches do it, but it's not Right. You're not supposed to. But I feel like it does open up opportunities for kids that don't play as much on a really good team like us. Like we had a couple kids leave to give some more minutes and they did good. Especially like B Swan. He went to Jefferson. He did, he had a really good year. I think. I think it does, it is a good thing to help kids, get outta a bad situation or if they got a coach they like over here, go play for him. So you only get four years of high school. So you wanna make the most of it

Coach Matthew:

True. That's true. So how do you feel like athletes navigate self-doubt and stay mentally strong? Under pressure?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Pressure pressure. It just, I, there's a saying, pressure, I can't think of it.

Coach Matthew:

Pressure is a privilege.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Pressure's a privilege. Yeah. That's it. Samples would always say that. And and it really is it's a privilege to be in, in the spot right now. It's 64, 64, you got the ball, you got a chance to make a play. That's a privilege. A lot of, like a lot. You might get a whole career. Never good opportunity like that. So it's a privilege to be in that spot. So just, not taking as oh, I might have missed this shot. I'm gonna get this up. No, take it as I'm gonna score or win this game. It's a privilege to be in that moment. That's how I try to attack that. And then self-doubt. I feel like you gotta have self-confidence. You can't any sport or like anything in, in life, you have to have confidence in yourself.'cause if you don't have confidence in yourself, who's gonna have confidence in you? So that's a big, it's a big thing that a lot of people struggle with. Self-confidence. I just feel like you gotta find something you're good at and just roll with it.

Coach Matthew:

In moments of self-doubt, do you have any strategies that you use to, flip the switch get back to where you have that confidence?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Honestly, just pray about it. That really works for me. Just, thinking about the good you've had that or like the good you've done and going back and if I had a bad game, like I go back and I look at old highlights like, oh, I played really good here. I just kinda clean some stuff up and I'll get back to that. Yeah. So just, looking at your, your past successes can really help that too with, self doubt.'cause you ultimately, you, if you keep working, you'll get back to that.

Coach Matthew:

So finding reminders or reminding yourself of who you know you are. Yeah. Like you're, even those moments

Tyler Jones:

you did you did this, you did that, you're gonna have a bad game here. You're gonna miss the, you're gonna miss this shot. It's okay. That's gonna happen. That's how the game is but remember like what you did like that you're gonna get back to that.

Coach Matthew:

So what strategies do you use to stay in that present moment? So you're not like, like worrying about this in the past or crap, I did that. Yeah. Especially during a basketball game.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. There's no moment like the present. Yeah you can't control the past. You can't control what's gonna happen. Only thing you can't control is what you're in right now. The present moment, like that shot, that play. So just, staying locked in on one play and not worrying about what's gonna happen? Am I gonna come out? If I do this, am I gonna, think about the past. Oh, is he mad at me for taking this shot? That's over. You don't know what's gonna happen, but you can control what's in the president. So just control what you can control.

Coach Matthew:

Now, I know that some coaches, and I don't think samples was ever like this or laden, they try to control what you can and cannot do, what you're allowed to do and what you're not allowed to do. So how do you go out there on the court and, take the shots that you know you're worthy of without worrying about, oh oh I probably, he probably didn't want me to take that shot or whatever.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, my favorite shot is the midrange pull up. Yeah, that's a controversial shot.'cause it's, you're gonna have, you're gonna get contested, you're gonna get, it's a tough shot. But it's my favorite shot to take 'cause I'll work on the most, I think just like taking it, having confidence that you're gonna make it like it's a tough shot. I'm gonna make it. I remember one time, like I hit a tough pull up and late I heard, or no, it was Sam. I heard Sam was like, no. I was like, Sam, I got you. It's my shot. Like I got you. Like I got you Coach. And I think it was last year against Hedges in the, the recent of the semi-final. And it was a tough pull up and I was in the corner and Sam was like, no. I was like, I got you. I hit it like, I got you coach. I got you coach. So he knows that's my shot. I was like, I got you.

Coach Matthew:

Yeah.

Tyler Jones:

So just having and having the trust, as you hit more shots, as that your game, like the coach, he'll start to trust you. You, it'll set you up for better shots, in that spot too,

Coach Matthew:

so how do you feel like athletes recognize and reframe thoughts that might be limiting their potential?

Tyler Jones:

So say that again.

Coach Matthew:

So how do you feel like athletes recognize and reframe thoughts that might be limiting their potential?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. So you mean taking a bad shot? Like he like refuse to take like tough shots and stuff like that.

Coach Matthew:

So just so oftentimes like we have thoughts that because thoughts can be true, they can be false, and you can have a thought that might be limiting your potential. So has there ever been a thought that you had about yourself that you, that was limiting you, but then you reframed it and. It became empowering. Yeah,

Tyler Jones:

I think taking a bad shot and coming out, so I could have a, I could make a heck of a play right here, take a tough shot, but if I miss, I'm coming out. So I think that I've just been like, or I just having the thought like, oh, I, I can't I can't do this. I'm off, I can't I can't do this right now, I should shooting, but alternately that's my game. I gotta keep shooting. So just stuff like that, just having the worry of, getting taken out the game or taking a bad shot or a tough shot.

Coach Matthew:

So what are some of the biggest mindset shifts that have led to long-term success maybe in your career, you feel like in another athlete's career? Yeah.

Tyler Jones:

Just have a confidence on the court. Trusting your craft, trusting your game, like you work on it. Go out there and use it. Don't just don't work hour and a half, two hours a day not to use in the game when it matters. Yeah. So just, like trusting my craft, trusting my game, and just going out there and using it to the best of my ability.

Coach Matthew:

And then external pressures, so we talked about that a little bit earlier. So how do you feel like those external pressures, let's say from your family members, your coaches, your fans, maybe your significant other, how do you feel like those affect your mental game? Or can,

Tyler Jones:

yeah, like I feel it does sometimes, but if you have like my mom, she's it's like you, if it's just one game, shows you like, be like patting my back. My dad's a little harder on, he is you gotta pick it back up. So I feel like you wanna do good for them, but at the end of the day, at least from my feeling like I know they love me no matter what. But definitely my friends, like in classic, we're talking about the game all day. Like I wanna go out there and play good for them.'cause like it's funny, come back to school the next day out for a good game, like a big win. It's yeah, you wanna go and pressure like your friends, like your fans and stuff like that. It's definitely plays a role, but at the end of the day, if you say locked in don't worry about them. You're gonna play good. So that's how, that's how I attack it.

Coach Matthew:

So I know oftentimes with those external pressures, you start to do things for other people. How do you. Shift it so you know, you're just doing it because that's just who you are and you know you're doing it for you.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. They don't see the hours in the gym that you put, they don't see, they don't see that what you, they don't see what you do. So they don't usually you have a bad game. They're not seeing like the work you're putting in. So and they're like, if they're like talking oh, you gotta do this, you gotta do that. You don't know my, what I'm, you don't know the stance I'm in right now. You don't know what it's like to be in my shoes. So I feel if you play, if I, my friends they're not gonna be mad if I play bad or, stuff like that. But like some people that are just like, may go to school with me or may go to different schools and just watch the games. They'll make comments like, man, like you don't know. It's just a bad, like everyone has a bad game, so not worrying about having a bad game because don't gotta play for them. You're playing for God and you're playing for, my parents. So I'm not worried about trying to impress everybody.

Coach Matthew:

So what are some key habits or strategies athletes use to build confidence and build resilience?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah I, what I use I try to build, if I did some good things that in that game, I'll try to build off that. Like I'll try to build off some things that I did and just building up confidence. The more confidence you build up, the more you're it's gonna show in the game. And trusting your teammates. I think trusting your teammates is huge. Trusting him. I kick him one more, he is gonna hit that shower. If he hits to me, I'm gonna hit the shot for him. Just trusting your guys. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

So what personal strategies have you used to build confidence? Let's say you were at a point where you weren't very confident in yourself. What did you do to gain that con confidence?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Went back in the gym and just corrected working on my craft. If I struggled, shooting the ball here or handle the ball here I'd be like, I'm gonna go in here. I'm gonna fix that. So the next game I can have more confidence in the game.

Coach Matthew:

So how does an athlete's belief system shape their ability to perform at the highest level?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Like having the belief in, that, this guy can't stop me or I'm gonna do this. Or our team's we're like, we're flowing on all cylinders. Having that belief system within your guys, if y'all are all on point, especially like our team, you're not gonna, they're not gonna beat us. So just having that confidence and belief that we're gonna beat you no matter what. That's hard to stop.

Coach Matthew:

And so for the people with. Limiting belief systems, what would you tell them in order to remind them that they're still good enough, regardless of where they're at in their journey?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, like you, you should never like put your, put yourself to limitations. Like for me, the sky's always a limit. Like you should never put yourself like, oh, I can only be this good, I can only do this much. No you get if you really want something, you put your mind to it, like you can work for it. That's the best advice I could give.

Coach Matthew:

So how do athletes balance their sport with their personal lives and identity outside of competition?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah that's tough. That's probably one of the toughest things. Just balancing having fun with my friends, going out and like staying in the gym. I feel like it's tough. It's a weekend there's a party, there's this, there's that. Friends that, we're going fishing, we're going out, we're doing stuff. But I feel like you gotta, when that Friday night hits you, remember, were you out or were you in the gym? Just. Just having the constant reminder in your head I gotta keep, like people are working so I gotta continue to work too. Just always trying to, balance the best you can and just stay in the gym more than you're out. That's for me at least.

Coach Matthew:

And then how do you separate your identity on the court from the off the court. So a lot of people, they go out there and they just see you for a basketball player, but. Sometimes they don't get to see who Tyler really is.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Like all the court, I'm like I'm crazy. Like me and my like, I people sound crazy. Like I'm just having fun. I'm like a really social person. I can talk to anybody. But I feel like on the court, I feel like my demeanor on the court, off the court's pretty similar, like crazy upbeat, but yeah. I feel like once you get to know someone off the court, like you can definitely tell why they're like that on the court. So if people like know me off the court and they see me on the court, they're gonna be like, oh yeah, that makes sense. Like it gels.

Coach Matthew:

And so how do you separate that or, I guess what I wanna say is how do you stop yourself from GE getting pigeonholed when you know people only see you on the court and so they create these false narratives?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Like playing like Friday against you're like, like you're a school that's like cross. Like they may just tell you like, let's say you're like talking trash and like you got a buddy on the other team. He be like, dang, like this kid, he's just cocky and this on the court and that. But like off the court, like he's way different. So I feel like you can't be total opposite on the court than you can off, but that's, I feel like that's not a good thing to do. But I try to, stay pretty, the same on and off the court. I try to do that.'cause if you're like a jerk and like this and that on the court, people are gonna look at you way different off the court as well.

Coach Matthew:

So what impact do you feel like athletes have beyond their sport and how can you use that platform effectively?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, like in our school, like we have, so like the basketball team has so much impact. You know what, whatever we do is like in a microscope. So it's gonna, people are gonna see it. And that can also be used for good though. Like we go to the, we have like preschoolers in our school. So we'll go take 'em to do activities with them, shoot basketball with them or go and, do projects for the kids at, potomac, just stuff like that. So like we can use a lot of that for good, but also you got like a lot of eyes on you, so if you're, you're getting in trouble in school off the court, like it's gonna, it's gonna come out. A lot of people are gonna see that.

Coach Matthew:

So how do you personally want to use your platform? I know social media's really big, but how do you wanna use your platform to influence people and you stretch your reach?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, I want to use that as a platform as, I can, get more people honestly to God, like more people like. Coming to our youth group, coming to church and stuff like that because they like, they know I put God first. I also think I can use it to maybe start like a little training business. Okay, train younger kids. I think I can use like the talent that I've learned from other people and use other kids. Just keep passing that, the knowledge and the talent. Just passing it down.

Coach Matthew:

So after basketball, what does your vision look like? Once you've stepped away from the game?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, I lo I, I wanna stay around the, I wanna stay around the game for sure. So maybe go be a coach somewhere or, be a trainer or even I think being like a team like like a team trainer would be cool. Like a strength and conditioning trainer would be fun. Just anything being around like sports, stuff like that. I like sports and sports. I think it's a sports and exercise major need for that to go to do that. I just think it'd be cool to stay around the game, stay around being like a brotherhood, like a team just staying around. Yeah. That's just, it's so alpha in every aspect of your life.

Coach Matthew:

And so once you've stepped away from, being that athlete playing every day, what challenges do you come with that and how do you feel like you overcome those challenges?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, honestly, like I feel like, staying active.'cause I've got I can never just sit around and do nothing, like all day. I can't do that. That's just not how I'm wired. But I feel like not getting bored, honestly. Like I like, going to the gym still, playing pickle with my buddies here and there when I'm older. Find like a men's league probably when I'm older. Yeah, just staying active and just. Just keeping it going.

Coach Matthew:

And then how do you feel like basketball has helped you discover your purpose and like what you're supposed to do or feel like is the impact you wanna make in the world?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah, I feel like basketball's opened up so many opportunities. I've met so many new people, like I got Caleb. I feel like it's just, it's done so much for me and helped me with every aspect of my life. Not only on the court, but off, like how to be humble, how to, being a teammate, how to be a leader, how to be a mentor to younger people. The freshman company, how to be a mentor for them. That's gonna help. But if I own a business one day, it's gonna help me to, mentor these people. Don't get mad at 'em. They, this is their first time, you were in that position too. So just be a mentor and be a leader, but also be that, good godly, humble leader on and off the court. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

And so what, like what's your vision? The, you're only your senior year. What's your vision long term for basketball?

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. I wanna go to college, D one or D two for sure. And play all four years. If God presents the opportunity to go play in a pro league somewhere, that'd be great, but I want to, get a good job and just, set myself up. I think the biggest thing though is getting four, four or five, four years of free college. Basketball's gonna, gimme that Lord willing. And just, set myself up, to be successful after basketball when the ball stops bouncing.

Coach Matthew:

So for you, what does long-term success look like outside of just winning championships? You guys did just win a state championship. Yeah. But what does success really look like for you?

Tyler Jones:

Success for me would be, the ultimate dream would be, go this summer, pick up a couple, more offers, D 2D one offers. And then, go back to Spring Mills and win a championship and then go play four years in college. That's the ultimate goal. But, sometimes it doesn't work out. So I feel like the biggest success for me right now is just to be to get a full rise scholarship with four years, to play for four years in college.

Coach Matthew:

So how do athletes define their legacy, and what do you personally wanna be remembered for?

Tyler Jones:

I wanna be remembered for my, my hard work and how hard I played. I don't care. Yeah. I've had my games where I score 20, I scored a bunch of points, but. I don't remember for that crazy kid that played hard and just never stopped just never stopped just kept going no matter what. Would put his head through a wall. I wanna be remembered as that. Like a kid that just played hard as crap.

Coach Matthew:

The person that just no matter what, they didn't give up.

Tyler Jones:

Yeah. Yeah.

Coach Matthew:

And so for the next generation of athletes that are striving for greatness, what advice would you give them?

Tyler Jones:

Just don't quit, don't give up. And don't have to do anything, do everything, like every rep, every game, every practice, you're not gonna get that practice back, you're not gonna get that rep back, you're not gonna get that game back. So just make the most of it and just, attack it with a full head of strength and just, just go at it.

Coach Matthew:

That's good. That's the conclusion of episode nine, Royal Vision Podcast. Tyler, do you have anything else you wanna say that came before we sign off?

Tyler Jones:

Nah, appreciate you having me on the on the podcast. Just, keep going and, everyone, follow the kingdom he's blowing up.

Coach Matthew:

Appreciate it. So it's been Coach Matthew Tyler Jones. Peace out. Love you guys.