CSULB’s Tyler Lamb has come full circle and finds himself back in the spotlight after a transfer from UCLA
For Long Beach State‘s men’s basketball team just a little over a month ago, they desperately needed a change – something to give, and a little extra talent following their 1-9 start.
Whether it was losing close games or getting blown out, it was clear the 49ers were not going in the right direction. On the night of December 19, 2013, that all changed when a 22-year-old from Santa Ana, California stepped on the floor.
Tyler Lamb has transitioned well since his transfer from UCLA
Tyler Lamb emerged through the tunnels as he’s done since his high school days at Mater Dei, but not since those days has his presence been so important to the future of the guys around him. Following two seasons under Ben Howland at UCLA, where he averaged 9.0 ppg 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a sophomore, Lamb was forced to sit out his junior season after succumbing to off-season knee surgery. His time on the pine, dropped in the depth chart with the Bruins and ultimately ended his career in Westwood.
As an eighth grader, Lamb received his first recruiting letter from Long Beach State, and although he passed up on the opportunity to play, this letter would begin the full circle for the pre-high school phenom. At Mater Dei, Lamb was recognized by ESPN as the country’s No. 38 basketball recruit. With many universities interested in the young guard, Lamb decided to take his talents to Westwood and join the UCLA Bruins.
As a freshman, Lamb had a typical frosh season averaging 2.6 points per game on 32.7% shooting. He did play in all 34 games and led the Bruins in assists four times during the year, but didn’t see much start time playing behind Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Lee.
As a sophomore, Lamb emerged as a talent playing in all 33 games (1 of 3 players on team to do so), making 32 starts. Lamb showed his versatility throughout the year, whether it was a 26-point outing against California (Dec. 31, 2011), playing 34 minutes against the USC Trojans with a strained hamstring, or career-high nights in rebounds, assists, and blocks Lamb had a number of games where he led the Bruins in a number of categories.
Unfortunately for Lamb, his days as a Bruin were coming to an end. Lamb was no stranger to knee surgery, following his senior year and just before his freshman year at UCLA he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in his left knee and was sidelined for close to four weeks. With expectations at a low during this time, Lamb was able to sit back, rehab, and take in what’s needed to be successful on the collegiate level.
Following similar arthroscopic knee surgery to remove loose cartilage behind his chronically swollen left knee cap prior to his junior year, Lamb had decided to retain his junior season and transfer to another university. He considered schools, like the University of Connecticut, UNLV, and even San Diego State, but with a little help from former high school teammate and then-49er Keala King, it was the school that had been interested in Lamb since day one, that was able to draw his interest – Long Beach State.
With over a year away from the court, with knee rehabilitation and college eligibility rules, Lamb returned to the court for the first time in CSULB black and gold and hasn’t taken any of his opportunities for granted. Despite the 49ers struggles in Big West Conference play (2-2) CSULB has a new identity, they have found ways to win and have one of the most dangerous back courts in the Big West. Lamb compliments Mike Caffey, as well as Caffey complimenting Lamb. Since Lamb took the court for Long Beach State back on 12/19 Lamb is averaging a team high 16.9 ppg and has taken the team from 1-9 through it’s first 10 games to 5-3 over it’s last eight including a coin toss loss on 1/9 against UC Irvine (46-44).
For Lamb the road has been tough, many highs and lows, moments of shining on the national stage and moments where his future was in doubt, but through perseverance and focus, Lamb has once again emerged on the scene and barring any type of injury, the once kid from Santa Ana, Ca that brushed over a recruiting letter can now call Long Beach, California………….home!
Long Beach State takes on Cal State Northridge, Saturday, January 25 at the Walter Pyramid Arena in Long Beach, Ca.
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