By SEAN BOCK
Tyler Bertram, the 6-foot-4 guard from Vermont Academy (VT) and the NY Jayhawks AAU program, has offers from a slew of mid-major programs but has started to capture the attention of high-major schools.
Virginia, Washington, Stanford, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Providence are among those programs who have started to express interest but have yet to offer, Bertram told ZAGSBLOG.
Some of the mid-major schools who have offered Bertram are St. Joe’s, Hofstra, Siena, and St. Bonaventure among others.
“I love their coaching staff,” Bertram said of St. Joe’s. “They’ve done a really good job of making me feel like I’m part of the family. I really trust them, and I like their style of play of shooting the ball a lot.”
“Basketball-wise, I’m looking for a school that will have the best fit,” Bertram said. “I’m not looking for a program that just has me sit in the corner but will get me involved with the offense knowing that I’m going to have an impact on the team. I want to be able to go to a good academic school because I know the ball is going to stop bouncing at some point, so I need to have a good degree.”
Bertram said he plans on taking his official visits around the end of the summer and beginning of fall and hopes to make a decision before the season starts.
“My goal for this summer is to prove that I’m the best shooter in the Gold Divison of the Adidas Gauntlet. I want to prove that I’m an elite player and obviously the main goal is to win the Gold Divison.”
Known for his shooting ability, Bertram believes he needs to improve his defense and rebounding to complement his offensive productivity.
Bertram isn’t shy of the big stage as he dropped 31 points and drained eight 3’s at the 2018 Hoophall Classic against IMG and future NBA guard Anfernee Simons.
“After that performance, I feel like and I know that I can play with anybody,” he said.
“He’s been one of the hardest working kids I’ve encountered since he walked in the gym a couple years back,” NY Jayhawks coach Jay David said of Bertram. “His hard work is now becoming noticed. Coaches son who is an unassuming but very tough high-level shooter with an underrated level of IQ. He can make plays with the ball in his hands. He now defending and rebounding at a high level. He’s only scratching the surface.”
Bertram is unranked according to most recruiting databases but don’t be surprised if you see his name featured in rankings soon. Photo: Johnnie Photography