MBB Parent's Perspective: LJ Cryer's Homecoming Experience

LJ Cryer is one of the top guards in the country in 2020.  He has battled some nagging injuries in the past 2 years which has likely suppressed his ranking but now he is healthy and ready to have a great senior year.  He has been putting up some big time stats in fall basketball games (Super 16) in preparation for his season.  Recently he notched 45 points while hitting nine 3 pointers.  Scott Drew loves guards that can score and LJ can do that in flurries.  

I caught up with Lionel Cryer, LJ’s dad, on his thoughts about the Baylor weekend.  

Tell us a little bit about your weekend?  What did you do Friday?  Where did you stay?  Where did you eat?  What did Saturday look like before the homecoming game?  

Lionel Cryer:  We went to Friday’s practice after we arrived.  Loved the toughness and competitiveness of this team.  We stayed at the Hotel Indigo.  Dinner Friday night was casual at Ninfas.  Saturday morning, LJ spent a lot of time in the gym with fellow Baylor commit Dain Dainja.  Dain and LJ really hit it off.  Dain’s a great kid, LJ is really looking forward to playing with him, Zach (Loveday) and the other guys on the team.  

Anything stand out to you after watching practice on Friday?

Cryer:  I loved how hard they practice.  Those guards are really good.  We know that is going to really help LJ.  There are just a bunch of guys that love being in the gym and love taking care of their business in the classroom.  Very impressed with how focused and competitive this program is.  We know LJ is going to prosper in this environment.  Another thing that stuck out is how hard Adam Flagler and JTT are working despite having to sit out a transfer year.  They are going to make the rest of the guys better.  

It seems like the culture of this basketball program is exceptional.  I spent 11 days with them in Italy and I was impressed with the maturity, competitiveness, humility and just overall likeability of these guys.  Did you notice that?  

Cryer:  Yes, Baylor has been known as Big Man U in the past and has put a lot of bigs in the league.  But they want to be also known as Guard U and you can see something special brewing with these guards.  They get along, they are unselfish and they are really good.  LJ can’t wait to play with them.  

Did you learn anything about Baylor on this visit that you didn’t already know?  

Cryer:  (laughs) We’ve been to Baylor so many times that we didn’t even spend time on a campus tour.  LJ mainly wanted to spend time around the team and build a relationship with Dain.  We really noticed the maturity in guys like Matthew Mayer.  He looks like he’s grown an inch or two.  LJ was on a visit with him a couple of years ago before he committed.  Can’t say enough good things about the guys, the coaches and the environment he is heading into.  I know he wants to hurry it up and get down there but he has one more high school season left.  The football game was awesome also- Sic’Em Bears!