Guard Ty Rogers of Lyon County visited Western Kentucky unofficially over the weekend. It would prove to be his final visit. During Saturday’s visit, Rogers committed to Western Kentucky.
“I think there’s a few reasons [why he committed] to be honest with you,” Jeff Rogers, Ty’s father said. “I think Western’s commitment with their basketball program – what they’re doing with Diddle Arena – and the tradition was important. Darrin [Horn] was there when they did have success and made it to the Sweet 16. I believe that staff can help Ty improve to be a better player.”
Rogers picked the Hilltoppers after receiving offers from Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Murray State and Eastern Kentucky.
Jeff Rogers said that Horn’s early interest in his son was a big reason why they got excited about Western.
“I’ll tell you, I don’t recall exactly the date that Darrin was named the head coach at Western. I don’t think he was there two weeks but he made the effort to come down and watch Ty play in open gym that night. He only had Coach Small hired but they made the effort. He liked the way Ty shot the ball and he offered Ty a scholarship that night.”
Location didn’t hurt Western’s chances either. “It’s an iron 45 minutes from Ty’s house to Bowling Green,” Jeff Rogers said. “It’s just a very good fit for Ty.”
In Rogers, the Hilltoppers get a player who can create his own shot and a guy who’ll have a chance to earn playing time at both guard positions. Rogers is a savvy, heady guard and he’ll get onto the court early in Bowling Green.
“I think Darrin sees a lot of himself in Ty. They’re about the same size kid. Darrin was a two-guard. Ty’s probably going to be a two-guard, could play the one. I think it was just a good fit for Darrin to coach Ty. We just feel very comfortable with Darrin and his staff.”