Tyler Junior College a stepping stone to pros?

[jrtennisparent]

I just read that Cash Hanzlik, the #2 US junior tennis player from the class of 2020, has signed to play at Tyler Junior College. He's a 13 UTR. Presumably as a 13 UTR he'd have many good D1 options to choose from and, I would guess, higher level competition at the D1 level. What do I not know about TJC? Or junior college competition in general? Or does it maybe have something to do with Hanzlik? Is TJC a "known" stepping stone school to going pro? I looked at TJC's lineup and it's pretty solid. Not USC level or anything, but better than many MM schools.

I'm really not trying to knock junior college, just surprised that the #2 recruit in the US would go the junior college route, so I suspect there's something I don't know.

 

[Mr Backhand]

Could just be that his grades were not good enough to get into a D1. Only explanation that I can think of for him not attending a D1 school.

 

[optimaltennis]

I just read that Cash Hanzlik, the #2 US junior tennis player from the class of 2020, has signed to play at Tyler Junior College. He's a 13 UTR. Presumably as a 13 UTR he'd have many good D1 options to choose from and, I would guess, higher level competition at the D1 level. What do I not know about TJC? Or junior college competition in general? Or does it maybe have something to do with Hanzlik? Is TJC a "known" stepping stone school to going pro? I looked at TJC's lineup and it's pretty solid. Not USC level or anything, but better than many MM schools.

I'm really not trying to knock junior college, just surprised that the #2 recruit in the US would go the junior college route, so I suspect there's something I don't know.

I'm not sure if he is eligible to attend a D1/D2/D3 school this year, possible ever. He had a good run at K-zoo in 2019, then kind of did a few things that made him basically unrecruitable.

As for TJC, it is a very good JUCO that will send many of its players on to other 4 year colleges. A few of the players there are because of eligibility issues while others financial

 

[andfor]

If the kid has one or two good years at TJC and behaves, he should have no problem landing at a top 4 year tennis program. The amount of time he has to play at TJC depends on his HS grades. The coach there Dash Connell has a very good reputation and I can see him getting the kid pointed in the right direction.

 

[Shaolin]

I'm not sure if he is eligible to attend a D1/D2/D3 school this year, possible ever. He had a good run at K-zoo in 2019, then kind of did a few things that made him basically unrecruitable.

As for TJC, it is a very good JUCO that will send many of its players on to other 4 year colleges. A few of the players there are because of eligibility issues while others financial

What did he do?

 

[optimaltennis]

If the kid has one or two good years at TJC and behaves, he should have no problem landing at a top 4 year tennis program. The amount of time he has to play at TJC depends on his HS grades. The coach there Dash Connell has a very good reputation and I can see him getting the kid pointed in the right direction.

I agree completely; depending on definition of a top 4 year tennis program. A lot of top NCAA programs (e.g. top 10) just won't touch JUCO players, unless the player is willing to come for very little money / free. Additionally, there are other factors in play, which forces many of the best JUCO players to go to NAIA instead of NCAA.

I've known of Dash (know his father better) for quite a while now and I 100% believe he is a great coach and leads an excellent program. Talent is not an issue with Hanzlik, but other things, which will limit his options after TJC

 

[andfor]

I agree completely; depending on definition of a top 4 year tennis program. A lot of top NCAA programs (e.g. top 10) just won't touch JUCO players, unless the player is willing to come for very little money / free. Additionally, there are other factors in play, which forces many of the best JUCO players to go to NAIA instead of NCAA.

I've known of Dash (know his father better) for quite a while now and I 100% believe he is a great coach and leads an excellent program. Talent is not an issue with Hanzlik, but other things, which will limit his options after TJC

Not to be argumentative, Florida St., Miss St., Texas, TCU, Louisville, Indiana, Boise St. over recent years have taken JUCO men. I don't have a full list and am going from memory. Some listed are top 10 type programs, some not, I know. UCLA took a TJC female just within the last few years who I believe was a top NCAA player. One off example for the women for sure. Starting at a JUCO may limit options to move on to a top tennis school, but there's programs that will take the right player. Most JUCO players are not of this kids playing level. If JUCO has a deep year at the #1 singles slot, my guess is this kid will have 1 maybe 2 players that could push him in the NJCAA championship semifinals/finals.

By no means am I saying all top programs will take a JUCO player but there's definitely some that will for sure. Agree with your statement overall. Also guess that many top JUCO players that go the NAIA route have grade issues following them, may not have graduated JUCO to overcome the NCAA grade non-qualifier requirements, have an age issue, etc.

On a case-by-case basis, for the right player and circumstances, JUCO can be a great place to start a college tennis career. For this kid it may not be optimal given his tennis skill level, but I gotta guess TJC is a great place for him to get on track.

 

[Fast Eddie Felson]

So what did this "whiz kid" do to only get into a JUCO?????

 

[Fabresque]

I’m confused, what did this kid do?

 

[Fabresque]

Ok I just read somewhere he got a year-long ban by the USTA for berating officials and fellow players on a consistent basis. That’s crazy that the USTA had to step in to do something about it.

From what I can tell, his attitude and behavior is awful, so probably wasn’t going to be recruited by the typical top dogs of college tennis.

JuCo is a great way for him to get back on track with his attitude. 2 years of solid grades, good behavior, and good results will surely land him in a Top 10 program.

 

[bobleenov1963]

Ok I just read somewhere he got a year-long ban by the USTA for berating officials and fellow players on a consistent basis. That’s crazy that the USTA had to step in to do something about it.

From what I can tell, his attitude and behavior is awful, so probably wasn’t going to be recruited by the typical top dogs of college tennis.

JuCo is a great way for him to get back on track with his attitude. 2 years of solid grades, good behavior, and good results will surely land him in a Top 10 program.

Solid grades? He doesn't need solid grades, just C's grade will get it done. There is a "special" admission for athletes and a general admission for everyone else.

 

[jrtennisparent]

According to @parsabombs on Twitter, Hanzlik has just verbally committed to ASU for Fall 2022

 

[Fabresque]

Solid grades? He doesn't need solid grades, just C's grade will get it done. There is a "special" admission for athletes and a general admission for everyone else.

That’s what I meant by solid grades. Getting by is good enough for Ca$h (yes, that is the correct way to spell it).

 

[BMC9670]

Ok I just read somewhere he got a year-long ban by the USTA for berating officials and fellow players on a consistent basis. That’s crazy that the USTA had to step in to do something about it.

From what I can tell, his attitude and behavior is awful, so probably wasn’t going to be recruited by the typical top dogs of college tennis.

JuCo is a great way for him to get back on track with his attitude. 2 years of solid grades, good behavior, and good results will surely land him in a Top 10 program.

My son played him twice in the Juniors - once in singles and once in doubles and both at National Championship tournaments. He certainly has attitude that lives up the the $ in his name (yes, that's real), but hundreds of other talented, spoiled, entitled teenaged tennis players do on the court - an we ran across a lot of them! Must have been pretty bad for a ban. Really talented player - hope this ban helps his maturity.