T. J. Holyfield

T. J. Holyfield (born September 22, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for Kauhajoki Karhu of the Korisliiga. He played college basketball for Stephen F. Austin and Texas Tech.

T. J. Holyfield
Kauhajoki Karhu
PositionPower forward
LeagueKorisliiga
Personal information
Born (1995-09-22) September 22, 1995
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2020 / Undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–presentKauhajoki Karhu
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-Southland (2017)
  • Southland All-Defensive Team (2018)

Early life and high school career

Holyfield attended Manzano High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He did a postgraduate year at Elev8 Sports Institute in Florida and signed with Stephen F. Austin.[1]

College career

Holyfield averaged 7.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.5 blocks per game as a freshman. As a sophomore, he averaged 11.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.[2] He was named to the Second Team All-Southland Conference.[3] On November 18, 2017, he scored a career-high 25 points and had nine rebounds and five steals in a 118–64 win against Howard Payne University.[4] Holyfield averaged 12.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a junior while shooting 54.8 percent from the field.[5] He was named to the Third Team All-Southland as well as the All-Defensive Team.[6] Holyfield earned MVP honors of the 2018 Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.[1] Holyfield helped the Lumberjacks reach the NCAA Tournament before losing to Texas Tech 70–60 in the first round with Holyfield contributing 10 points and four rebounds.[5] He redshirted the 2018–19 season with a shoulder injury, and spent the season giving a speech at his church, wrapping Christmas presents for under-privileged children and visiting children in Belfast.[7]

After the season, Holyfield decided to transfer to Texas Tech, choosing the Red Raiders over Kansas, Oregon, Illinois and Miami (Fla.).[5] He had 15 points and six rebounds in the season-opening victory over Eastern Illinois, followed by 20 points and had six rebounds in a win over Bethune-Cookman.[8] Holyfield was named Big 12 newcomer of the week on November 11, 2019. As a senior, Holyfield averaged 8.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.[9]

Professional career

On May 20, 2020, Holyfield signed with Kauhajoki Karhu of the Finnish Korisliiga.[10]

References
  1. Grammer, Geoff (May 11, 2019). "Former Manzano hoops star T.J. Holyfield will transfer to Texas Tech". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  2. Chasen, Scott (April 11, 2019). "Graduate transfer announces visit to KU basketball". 247 Sports. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  3. "New Orleans' Erik Thomas Wins Southland Player of the Year Honors" (Press release). Southland Conference. March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  4. "Bogues, Holyfield combine for 55 points, SFA wins 118-64". ESPN. Associated Press. November 18, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  5. Carlton, Chuck (May 11, 2019). "Texas Tech adds Stephen F. Austin grad transfer forward T.J. Holyfield". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  6. "Central Arkansas' Jordan Howard wins men's basketball Player of the Year" (Press release). Southland Conference. March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  7. Beames, Caleb (February 26, 2019). "SFA's TJ Holyfield being a supportive leader at the end of the bench". KTRE. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  8. "Haliburton and Holyfield Earn Season's First Weekly Awards". Big 12 Conference. November 11, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  9. "TJ Holyfield joins Karhu". Eurobasket. May 20, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  10. "Rookie PF TJ Holyfield signs with Karhu Basket". Sportando. May 20, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
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