UNI freshman Tywhon Pickford shows athleticism, long-range shooting in Prime Time League

WATERLOO - The Prime Time League made its Cedar Valley debut with the first of three dates in Waterloo on Thursday night.

For many Northern Iowa fans, it was their first opportunity to get a look at touted freshman Tywhon Pickford, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound Minnesota native who received interest from Power-5 programs late in his recruiting process before committing to UNI.

Pickford didn't disappoint in his PTL debut this past Sunday in North Liberty, scoring 26 points on an efficient 11-of-17 shooting. He followed that up with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting in front of the hometown crowd on Thursday night.

While it's no secret the defensive intensity in the PTL doesn't measure up to the college regular season, Pickford is producing and enjoying his first experience in the summer league.

'It's a lot of great players coming together to play with each other,” he said after his team beat Culvers, 130-92. 'I've never played in a league like this before, As an incoming freshman it's real fun playing (in the PTL).”

Panthers fans got to see a lot of Pickford's game Thursday night. He knocked down five 3s, hit a pullup jump shot and threw down a drop-step dunk through a defender. He also dished out three assists and showed the ability to use his athletic frame to challenge big guys for rebounds.

UNI assistant coach Kyle Green was in attendance Thursday night and earlier this week on the Missouri Valley Conference's coaches teleconference he remarked he was happy to see Pickford respond to the challenge the PTL presents with rosters that feature four Division I players on each team.

'You know what kids are capable of when you recruit them, although I guess you never know how they're going to respond that first time they're wearing a jersey and playing at this level,” Green said. '(The PTL) is good competition, they're in front of a crowd there, (but) you don't want to read too much into it.

'But you want to see how guys step up and do they respond? And (Tywhon) certainly did. He made shots.”

A summer ago in the Prime Time League, UNI fans had a keen eye on then-freshmen Juwan McCloud and Isaiah Brown. Both had success in their first PTL experience, but had up-and-down freshman seasons for the Panthers. So, while Pickford has hit the ground running against Division I competition, his coaches already have made him aware of how difficult a true freshman season can be.

'(The coaches) told me things were going to be tough from the beginning. Not to give up and keep pushing,” Pickford said. 'Just keep getting through (the workouts) and lifting. Everything will be hard, just keep getting through it.”

Pickford said he's focused on playing his all-around game during the PTL. Come the fall, when he'll trade out his yellow Vinton Merchants jersey for a purple UNI jersey, he said no matter what his role ends up being he'll bring leadership.

'I'm (going to) bring leadership. That's (what the fans) will definitely enjoy. The heart I bring every game, the effort I bring every game. I'm really excited,” Pickford said. 'I've been dreaming about this since I was little. My mom, I know I told her I was going to make it and it's just a dream, a blessing. I'm ready to get out on the court.”