Family members, coach react to BYU commitment of Nick Emery and TJ Haws
For members of their families, the decisions by Nick Emery and TJ Haws to commit to BYU produced a universal reaction.
“I’m really excited for Nick and TJ,” said former Cougar standout and big brother Jackson Emery. “People have speculated that it’s too early, but these guys have grown up around BYU basketball.
“They’ve seen the lifestyle and the type of game played there and made the best decision they can for their lives in every way,” he continued.
Jackson was a part of Nick’s decision process, but didn’t dictate it. “I didn’t want to pressure Nick, but I did try to show him that BYU had a lot to offer, on and off the floor,” he said.
Jackson has also always counseled his brother to enjoy what he’s doing right now. “The best thing about having this decision behind them is that they can now just have a great time in high school,” he said.
The other Cougar big brother, Tyler Haws, has been pretty far removed from the process while serving his LDS mission to the Philippines, but has exchanged some thoughts with his brother by e-mail.
This week, when TJ wrote him about his plans to commit, Tyler responded that he was “pumped for you and so proud of you.”
In earlier messages, he had recommended BYU as a good environment for his brother, but also said that he would respect whatever decision he made.
Not surprisingly, that was also the position of father Marty Haws.
“I’m excited for TJ because I can tell he’s comfortable with his decision,” Marty said. “It’s fun for any dad, any parent, who gets a chance to see their son realize a dream that he’s worked hard for.
“It’s come a bit earlier for TJ,” he continued. “A while ago we started talking about the recruiting process as schools were calling me because they couldn’t call him yet. It’s kind of interesting because he just got past his first week of high school.
“We talked about the process and he watched Tyler go through it,” Marty said. “It can be a long process. I challenged TJ to think outside of the box a little bit. I told him he didn’t have to do it like anyone else and to make the process his own.”
Of course, his father offered help and guidance along the way and would answer questions for him, but he never took over. “TJ is very independent and capable of making that decision himself,” Marty said.
As a former player and a person who’s coached both Nick and TJ for an appreciable part of their lives, Marty has a very good grasp on what the pair bring to the Cougars.
“They’re going to get two very experienced young guards, kids who believe that every time they step on the floor, they’re going to win,” he said. “That’s what Dave (BYU coach Rose) is looking for and the kind of mentality he wants.
“These boys also have the ability to set certain things aside to go out and win a game,” Marty added. “That will serve them well on the court and in the rest of their lives, to be able to go out there and win at a very high level.”
Also important was cultivating a good relationship with the BYU coaching staff, one characterized by mutual understanding, respect and common goals.
“Dave and I have had some very candid conversations,” Marty said. “I wanted him to know their games, to see them on their good days and their bad days, so there won’t be any surprises.
“It takes time to get comfortable with that, but the more we saw it as a good fit, that’s what we were looking for and the situation where everybody gets excited about the possibilities,” he concluded.
Jackson agreed that the additions of Nick and TJ will help move the program along in the future.
“One thing I admired at BYU is that they’re always looking to take a step up,” he said. “That’s the key to being a great program, to always look to be better and to go one notch higher.
“By adding two players of this quality, BYU is continuing to head in that direction,” Jackson said.
Lone Peak coach Quincy Lewis completely agreed, calling the commitment a “tremendous recruiting coup” for the Cougars.
“This really keeps them on the path of high-level basketball,” the coach said. “If you look at where these kids are already ranked, it can’t help but take them a step farther.
“For whatever reason, guards are sometimes difficult for BYU to find,” Lewis continued. “These guys have proven themselves on both fronts, in high school and AAU competition.
“In-season national tournaments invite schools that are traditional powers and schools with high-rated players,” he said. “Having the chance to play against that level of competition will help them to be prepared to build the BYU program.”
Noting that both older brothers had a positive experience at BYU, Lewis said he was pleased that Nick and TJ have decided to follow them into the Marriott Center.
“I’m excited to see them stay in-state so I can watch them,” he said. “I like to see all of the in-state schools do well, and it’s fun to see the best home-grown talent strengthen our in-state programs.”
Noting that these two aren’t just shooters but can get places off the dribble, Lewis agreed with Marty that perhaps their most valuable asset is a winning attitude.
“It’s a big, big deal,” the coach said. “They’ve won a state championship, and they watched their brothers do it. They bring that expectation of winning to BYU, so nobody there will have to instill it in them.”
Beky Beaton can be reached at bbeaton@heraldextra.com. Follow her on Twitter at @BeatonWrite.