Growing up in Knoxville, Tenn., Ty Greene’s life inundated with athletics in the yard with his dad and younger brother. His youth consisted of four seasons: track, baseball, football, basketball.

Eventually, he fine-tuned his concentration to two seasons in high school—baseball and basketball. He excelled at both and received opportunities to play either at the collegiate level.

“People thought I would be a baseball player because they didn’t think I’d be big enough to play basketball,” Greene said. “That’s pretty much all I heard.”

However, he signed with the University of South Carolina Upstate to play on the hardwood. The decision came after much prayer and discussion with his family. While forgoing his senior season of high school baseball was one of the most difficult things he’s done, he couldn’t ignore the doors God opened for him as a Spartan.

“I was at peace with my decision, even though it was hard,” Greene said.

He worked on conditioning and skills and came into his freshman year in 2011 at Upstate in the best shape he’d ever been. That year, he earned a starting spot for the season opener and, eventually, was named Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year.

What challenged Greene most was not the high expectations of impacting the program, nor the battle of staying grounded in the revolving world of college life, but separation from home and family.

“When you’re outside your comfort zone it really stretches and grows you,” he said. “I was very homesick my first three months, but once basketball started, God really gave me a peace about it.”

It wasn’t always going to be easy, but Greene held fast to the promise that God had him at Upstate for a reason.

His senior season, in 2014-15, the Spartans set the single-season school record for wins and reached the finals of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. Individually, Greene stood atop many of conference offensive season stats and was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year. He was also named the Lou Henson National Mid-Major Player of the Year.

Greene (center, pictured with his parents and grandparents) was honored by the South Carolina General Assembly.

Greene was grateful for each of the accolades bestowed upon him. Raised with a love of God, his main goal has always been to glorify the Lord in all he does.

“I’ve always been very comfortable sharing my faith and the Lord has called me to be vocal about it,” Greene said. “For me, I really want everybody to know where exactly I stand. I really want Jesus’ name to be heard.”

Greene has shared Christ’s name through his performance, encouragement to his teammates and coaches, and also through community service projects during his time at USC Upstate. President of Upstate’s FCA Huddle since his sophomore year, Greene’s involvement with the ministry runs deep. His father is on the local board and mother works on staff in Knoxville. Greene first attended an FCA Huddle in middle school.

FCA has added to his personal quiet time, which involves continual prayer and devotional reading, and a Bible study with friends from home. Each piece, coupled with his parents’ installation of a calm frame of mind, anchored a spirit of humility.

“No matter what happens, whether you win, lose or play great, you’ve got to be the same person all the time,” he said. “Be humble because that’s how Jesus was when He came down to earth.”

Greene has recently hung up his jersey after spending time in the NBA Developmental League, moved to Memphis with wife Taylor, and is preparing to come on staff with FCA as an area representative. He will pour his energy into young athletes, sharing in the journey of sports and faith, while waiting and trusting on God.

There are a lot of unknowns, which is something Greene’s not used to. But he’s approaching it by working hard and stay grounded, giving all to the glory of God. 

Photos courtesy of Debbie Greene and USC Upstate Athletic Communications