Finding His Place and Making a Mark

It took a little while for Cameron Tyson to find his collegiate home. Coming out of Bothell High School, the sharpshooting guard was lightly recruited. He landed at a university where he played well but the team struggled. He transferred to a successful program but felt his talents were not being utilized. His third destination—at Seattle University—proved to be just the right fit.

“I wanted to go somewhere they’d cherish me,” he says. “As soon as I got on the phone with Coach Vic (Chris Victor, SU’s head men’s basketball coach), I felt nothing but that love and a belief in me not only as a basketball player but also as a person. He wanted me to get outside my comfort zone and really take charge and be the leader and create a culture that’s worth sustaining.”

And Tyson responded. Among other accolades, Tyson was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I All-District Team twice and earned All-WAC honors three times. He broke a 32-year-old record to become SU’s all-time leader in three-pointers made. And then on Feb. 24, 2024, Tyson entered SU lore when he joined SU legend Johnny O’Brien as the only other men’s basketball player to surpass 2,000 career points. “It was unbelievable,” he says, remembering the conversation he had with O’Brien after the game. “He expressed that 2,000 points is a lot of points and it was about time somebody joined him in that category. It really meant a lot.”

Tyson has brought the same commitment to his studies. “I came here because I knew it was a great education,” he says. Twice named an Academic All-WAC honoree, Tyson earned a degree in Sociology in 2023 and is currently pursuing a Certificate in Leadership Formation at the Albers School of Business and Economics.

“I can’t show enough appreciation and love for how much this institution has embraced me. I’ll be forever grateful.”

Cameron Tyson signs a jersey at his pre-SU alma mater, Bothell High School.

 He’s also found time to volunteer in the community, contributing his time and talents to St. Francis House, local youth AAU basketball teams and basketball camps. Being a role model and mentor to young people comes naturally for Tyson. “I feel like I’m a testament to hard work and dedication and so I’m able to share that with them.”

This year Seattle University’s Board of Trustees took the extraordinary step of passing a resolution to laud Tyson’s contributions on and off the court. It’s a sentiment that is echoed by his coach.

“In his three years in the program, Cam established himself as one of the best players to ever wear a Redhawk uniform,” says Coach Victor. “He elevated the program to a level of success that this university hasn’t seen in 70 years. Beyond his on-the-court accomplishments, his maturation as a leader and competitor was special to witness.”

When asked what stands out as most memorable and rewarding from his time as a Redhawk, Tyson answers, “the championships,” namely the team’s WAC Championship in 2022 and the 2024 Ro College Basketball Invitational Championship that capped off his stellar career at SU. “I’ve always (believed) how much you win is the defining factor of who you are as a player.”

One person who’s literally had a front row seat for Tyson’s success at SU is his brother D’Marques, who serves as an assistant coach for the team. “Being able to share the game you love with somebody you love like that and know that he’s going to push you because he has your best interests at heart and sees more for you than you sometimes see for yourself is just a blessing,” says Tyson. “I didn’t take a day of that for granted.”

Post-SU, Tyson is looking toward extending his basketball career and playing professionally. Asked what he’d like to do further down the road, he says, “Since high school, I’ve wanted to be a school counselor. Working with kids and being around kids is something I enjoy. It gives me a lot of happiness. Ultimately, I just want to be that voice in their lives and help steer them on a career path that they enjoy.”

Tyson’s presence and positive energy will be greatly missed on campus, says Victor, “but his impact will be seen for many years. He has great career ahead of him and we will all be cheering him on every step of the way from Seattle.”

Reflecting on the totality of his SU experience, Tyson says, “I can’t show enough appreciation and love for how much this institution has embraced me. I’ll be forever grateful.”