Hard work and dedication paying off for Northern Iowa star Tytan Anderson

WATERLOO, Iowa (KWQC) – Northern Iowa basketball star Tytan Anderson is a coach’s dream.

“You talk about a thrill for a head coach and just to be able to be around him each and everyday” said UNI head coach Ben Jacobson.

When the Panthers need a big play, they count on Anderson.

“He knows his teammates trust him his teammates know he’s gonna come through and our fans know he’s gonna come through and that’s one of the coolest part of being around him” said Jacobson.

Anderson is leading the Panthers in scoring and rebounding. He’s 13th on the program’s all time scoring list and 7th in rebounding.

“This is every kids dream I mean every basketball player’s dream is to just be apart of a family be apart of a team that really trusts you and loves you” said Anderson who was First Team All State for North Scott High School his senior year in 2020.

Anderson’s talent is impressive, but his work ethic is what sets him apart.

“The situation doesn’t determine or dictate how Ty feels because his habits and routine are really good and he trusts and believes that it matters” said Jacobson.

“That’s why we offered him a scholarship, you know we’re watching him in an AAU game playing against two or three guys that were 2 or 3 inches taller 40 50 pounds heavier and he got under the skin of both of those guys just because he plays so hard”.

In a college basketball world where players often transfer from one school to the next, Anderson has stayed loyal to the Panthers.

“He could have went out and got more money you know we’re paying him, he’s making a decent amount with us but he could have gotten more, he loves his teammates he cares about this place and he made a decision to come back here.”

“Instilling that same trust that coach Jacobson had in me and just returning the favor and having trust that he’s gonna build the team and assemble a team that’s gonna do something special and we still have an opportunity to do something very special” said Anderson.

Loyalty and hard work. The same Values Anderson learned at North Scott.

“I wanted to be apart of something bigger than myself, I wanted to be apart of a family just like I had always been growing up I was always on great teams led by great coaches.”

“What comes to my mind is just toughness the mental and physical toughness with Ty, he’s always had that” said North Scott head coach Shamus Budde who coached Anderson when he was in high school.

“He was raised that way. His dad Tim Anderson who’s on our staff still to this day has always talked to Ty about doing the little things on the court you add all that in their and plus his intelligence, he’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever been around and one of the smartest basketball players as well.”

“They’ve always pushed me I mean Shamus was a great coach and he still is and I love that man like no other I mean he’s just I appreciate him everyday for the type of player that he made me become” said Anderson.

Giving his all to the game that has given him so much.

“I have such a supporting group, supporting fans community, team, I mean everybody around me is just very solid and I appreciate that for sure.”

Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.