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A conversation with Ty (azcentral.com, July 17, 2009)
Sun Devils glad Abbott found his way back home (East Valley Tribune, Dec. 21, 2007)
SUN DEVIL DATA: Athletic wing and local player who was a late pick-up in the spring of 2007, as he got his release from New Mexico (who he signed with in the fall of 2006) when the Lobos changed coaches from Ritchie McKay to Steve Alford. Took recruiting visits to Washington and Washington State before deciding on the hometown Sun Devils, and everyone is happy he stayed home. Quietly posted one of the best freshman seasons in the Pac-10 in 2007-2008, but was overshadowed by four freshman lottery picks. Only three freshman posted 30 point games that season, lottery picks O.J. Mayo and Jerryd Bayless and Abbott. Excellent student-athlete who played his AAU ball for former Arizona interim coach Russ Pennell. Set school record for freshmen starts (34) and three-pointers made (76), and the 76 three-pointers is fourth-best by a freshman in Pac-10 history. Named "Best Cutter and Screener" by coaching staff at 2007-2008 postseason banquet. Shot 43 percent from field in games ASU won and 32 percent in losses in his freshman season. When he scores in double digits, ASU is 23-6. BET YOU DIDN'T REALIZE THIS: There are three players in the Pac-10 who can claim a 30-point night on their brag list. Tajuan Porter did the trick with 33 at Washington on Feb. 14, 2009. Jerome Randle had 31 at Arizona on March 5, 2009. Ty Abbott is the other, with a 30-point night in his freshman season vs. California on Feb. 16, 2008. HECKUVA LOT OF EXPERIENCE: Ty Abbott has already played in 69 games in two years with 65 starts. If he does that the next two years, he will crush Jeff Pendergraph's school records punctuated last year as Pendergraph ended his career with 126 games played and 120 starts. ASU THREES: Sun Devil classmates Ty Abbott and Rihards Kuksiks are both moving up the ASU career three-point chart, as they are both in the top-10 already, with senior Derek Glasser also moving into the top 10 soon. ASU CAREER THREE-POINTERS SOPHOMORE SEASON (2008-09): Averaged 29.9 minutes while playing all 35 games and starting in 31...second on team with 16 blocks and 33 steals...averaged 7.1 points per game on the year...posted 13 games of double-digits, and ASU was 11-2 in those contests...scored a season-high 20 points against No. 13 Syracuse in NCAA Tournament on 6-of-10 three-point shooting...averaged 11.7 points in Pac-10 Tournament and was 13-of-23 (.565) from the field and 8-of-15 (.533) from the three-point stripe...had 12 points in Feb. 12 win over UCLA which completed sweep of the Bruins...had 18 points in season opener against Mississippi Valley State and 13 points in first road game vs. San Diego State. FRESHMAN THREES: Ty Abbott set the ASU freshman record for three-pointers made, but it also was the fourth-best mark by a freshman in Pac-10 history. Here are the top five: FRESHMAN SEASON (2007-08): Averaged 34.8 minutes per game in Pac-10 play, second-most in school history by a freshman, just behind classmate James Harden (35.9)...notched Pac-10 Player of the Week honors with 19-point, six-board performance in 77-55 win over No. 17 Xavier on Dec. 17...had 16 games in double digits (ASU was 12-4), including two ridiculous games against Cal with 25 points in 46 minutes on Jan. 17 and 30 points with eight three-pointers on Feb. 16...also had 18 in final game of Pac-10 season at Oregon State which allowed ASU to finish 9-9...team's third-leading scorer at 9.9 points per game...second on team with 39 steals, third on team with 13 blocks and 51 assists. DESERT VISTA HIGH SCHOOL: Averaged 17.3 points per game in his senior year leading Desert Vista to a 29-2 overall record and a 5A Division I semifinal appearance...averaged 17 points and nine boards in junior season as team was 26-7. LOCAL CONNECTION: Abbott joined a list of Arizona prep products who have played for ASU recently, including Greenway's Chad Prewitt (1998-2002), Corona del Sol's Donnell Knight (1999-2003), Phoenix North High School's Tommy Smith (1999-2003) and Mesa Mountain View's Kenny Crandall (1998-99, 2001-2004). Crandall earned his B.I.S. in business and communications in 2004 while Prewitt earned his B.I.S. in business and communications in 2002. Both Knight and Smith have both played professionally since leading ASU to the NCAA Tournament in 2003, its first appearance since 1995. Freshman Taylor Rohde (Pinnacle High School) joined the ASU program last year, while Demetrius Walker from St. Mary's High School is a freshman this year. ETC.: Born August 19, 1988, in Chicago...mother is Traci Hawkins...younger sibling is Bianca West...plans for a career as a sports agent. CAREER HIGHS FOR TY ABBOTT
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