DeMatha Catholic High School is known for producing high-quality basketball players, and the 2010 team was no exception. That year, DeMatha went 32-4 behind now Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo and eventually produced three other NBA players in Quinn Cook, Jerami Grant and Jerian Grant.
There has been so much talent at the school that Jairus Lyles, a freshman at DeMatha in 2010, felt almost like an afterthought.
But Lyles can no longer be overlooked — not after being the leading scorer on the first 16-seed to knock off a No. 1 in men’s college basketball. Lyles had 28 points Friday in UMBC’s 74-54 rout of Virginia.
It was the type of performance that helped put UMBC on the map, and forced others to google what “UMBC” stands for. (University of Maryland Baltimore County, by the way)
“It was pretty cool, man, to see him flourishing where he’s at right now,” said Oladipo, who was in the District on Saturday when the Pacers took on the Wizards. “It just goes to show you that everybody’s path is different.”
Indeed. Lyles, a graduate senior, transferred twice before ending up at UMBC. He started off his collegiate career under Shaka Smart at VCU, but left his freshman season in 2014.
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He dropped in for a semester at Robert Morris before eventually settling at UMBC, where he spent the last three seasons building up to his showcase against Virginia.
And it almost didn’t happen.
To even get into the NCAA tournament, UMBC needed a basket with 10 seconds left in the American East Championship to avoid overtime against Vermont, who was a double-digit favorite prior to the game. Lyles came through — drilling a game-winning 3-pointer at the top of the arc.
Oladipo saw Lyles’ shot against Vermont, adding he’s been “fully aware” of how Lyles’ career has gone. He said the two have kept in touch over the years, jokingly calling DeMatha a cult.
The Pacers star called Lyles “a great dude.”
“He had a lot of joy in his heart, just a great person to be around,” Oladipo said. “It was great to see great things happen to great people.”
Lyles was great against the Cavaliers, too. He was extremely efficient, making 9 of his 11 shots. Oladipo said Lyles could always score easily and “that’s what’s so great to watch about it.”
Lyles, meanwhile, has found his place at UMBC. He told reporters in Charlotte that he’s developed close relationships with UMBC coach Ryan Odom and the school’s president, Freeman A. Hrabowski III.
“This is my family,” Lyles said. “I created a legacy here.”
After Lyles’ 28-point performance against Virginia, Oladipo commented under Lyles’ post on Instagram, telling him to keep the party going.
UMBC faces off against No. 9 Kansas State on Sunday. They are again significant underdogs.
“He’s embracing his journey,” Oladipo said. “All he has to do is stay the course and the sky’s the limit if he continues to keep doing that.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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