Tyler Dearman was named to the All-ODAC first team last season.
Tyler competed as a graduate student last season and helped lead the Quakers to the NCAA Division III Final Four.
“I’m just so excited right now. I can’t wait to see the country and play (basketball)."
Men’s basketball All-American Tyler Dearman ’23, ’24 MISM, who helped lead Guilford to the NCAA Division III final four in March, this week signed a one-year contract to play for Sport Clube Lusitânia, a professional basketball team in Portugal.
“I’m just so excited right now,” said Tyler. “I can’t wait to see the country and play (basketball).”
Tyler competed as a graduate student last season after the NCAA granted students an extra year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which effectively shut down the 2020-21 season. He completed a master’s in International Sport Management to go along with his bachelor’s in Sport Management, too.
Tyler made the most of that extra year, helping Guilford reach the national semifinals, where the Quakers lost to Old Dominion Athletic Conference rival Hampden-Sydney.
He was named the Josten’s Trophy winner, a national award given to the top men’s basketball player in Division III. He was also named to the All-ODAC first team and the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-America first team.
Tyler and his agent spent the summer searching for opportunities to play professionally. When June turned into July and July turned into August without any leads, Tyler said he started feeling anxious.
“I’m not going to lie, it was eating at me a little,” he said. “I wanted this so bad, but nothing was coming through.”
His agent called with the news in September, but the club did not announce the contract until this week. Tyler was in his bedroom watching TV when he first learned about the deal. “So many emotions were running through me that night,” he said. “I just had so many things running through me, but mostly happiness and pride. I’ve worked so hard for this.”
Guilford men’s basketball coach Tom Palombo is excited for Tyler’s next journey in basketball.
“Tyler is going to be an excellent professional,” he said. “Aside from his obvious talent, Ty is a leader and his teammates will gravitate to him. I believe the true mark of a great player is someone who makes everyone around them better and Ty is that guy.”