.png)
SUPER SOPHOMORE: Anacoco High School’s LANDON TINSLEY
Updated: Sep 1
The VIP Crew: Landon, how has your summer been, particularly summer basketball for
you?
Tinsley: It’s been good, I just wrapped up my travel basketball season playing with
Louisiana Elite at the Puma Pro 16 Finals in Bryan, Texas where we won the 15u
National Championship. It was a great experience and besides that, this summer I’ve
been in the gym at Anacoco preparing for my sophomore season and just working on all
areas of my game.
The VIP Crew: You were recently named as a top 3 (#2) incoming sophomore in
Louisiana. Obviously, you don’t need motivation, but do you feel that put a target on
your chest and you will get everyone’s best game now?
Tinsley: Yes sir, I know as my name continues to get out there more, I’ll have a larger
target on me, and I’ll be getting everyones best game. But that's good for me too
because I get to grow as a player, face adversity, and learn how to deal with pressure
and perform at a high level.
The VIP Crew: Given the amount of talent that comes out of Louisiana in basketball, it
must be an extreme honor to make the top ten, let alone be included in the top half of
this list.
Tinsley: It’s definitely an honor to be on that list of the top players in my class for
Louisiana. Because there are so many good players across the state, to be recognized
as one of those top players feels great but it also continues to motivate me to get better
every day.
The VIP Crew: Given the way last year’s amazing season ended (32-5), 2-point loss in
the quarterfinals, I’m sure you have a bit of a chip on your shoulder as well.
Tinsley: Definitely, when you have as successful of a season as we had and so much
talent on our team, it’s definitely something that hurts to see our season end early. But
it’s a great motivator for all of us, because we haven’t forgotten that feeling of how last
year's season ended and we’re going to use that as fuel to be the best we can all be
individually and as a team to help the team succeed.
The VIP Crew: Individually and as a team, how do you feel you guys can improve?
Tinsley: Individually I feel like I can improve all areas of my game but specifically, my
outside shot and my explosiveness. That along with my inside game and versatility is
what I feel like could bring my game to the next level. As a team, we just have to
continue to mature and learn how to perform and win those big games especially
without the four guys we had that graduated from last year's team.
The VIP Crew: As a player who plays for your dad, Coach Jason Tinsley, do you feel
you guys have the perfect father/son, coach/player balance?
Tinsley: We keep the coaching and the parenting side separated for the most part.
Once we’re out of the gym and in the car, we don’t talk much more about my
performance, unless I ask him, “What do you think is the best and worst thing I did in
the game today?” I feel like that helps us keep a healthy relationship where we can
balance the coaching side and the family side.
The VIP Crew: How pivotal has your parents played in your athletic success?
Tinsley: They’ve been very important in the success I’ve had so far. With my mom
being a high school All-American, high school state champ, and Division 1 player and
my dad having 25 years of college coaching experience, they have helped guide me
and develop me to be the best player I can be and the best person I can be.
The VIP Crew: You constantly talk about evolving as a player and understanding that
there will be a time when your size won’t be an advantage. What has this offseason
been like for you in terms of tournament, summer league play, and workouts?
Tinsley: This summer I’ve been working on continuing to get stronger to where even
when I’m undersized, I can still match up with the bigger post players. I’ve also been
working on my overall athleticism, speed, quickness, acceleration, and explosiveness to
become a more well-rounded player. Playing in the Puma Pro 16 Finals and playing in
some tough high school summer league events I’ve been able to see how I match up
with the best players in the state and also some of the best players from around the
country. This has helped me see what I need to improve on to bring my game to the
next level.
The VIP Crew: How do you remain so cool, calm, collected, and grounded despite the
numerous accolades coming your way?
Tinsley: The main thing is that no matter how many accolades I receive, I will always
need to be working and improving on some part of my game. My dad has always said
he has seen rankings go both ways. He has seen unranked player’s careers take off
and he has seen highly ranked players careers go downhill. There will always be good
players out there. So, through all the success, I’m continuing to work to be the best
player I can be and focus on how I can improve every day.
The VIP Crew: Something else you make a point of emphasis on is academic
accolades as well. How important is that not only for your prep career, but eventually
when you move on to the collegiate level?
Tinsley: Basketball is definitely a big part of my life, but I know eventually basketball will
come to an end for me. So, I work very hard in the classroom to maintain a 4.00 GPA
and be prepared to be successful in life after basketball. Academics will play a major
role in where I decide to go play in college.
The VIP Crew: How valuable was it for you to gain so much experience while achieving
success as a freshman? How do you apply those lessons learned into this season?
Tinsley: My dad makes it a point to play a really tough schedule every year. Being able
to achieve what I did personally and what we did as a team helped me grow as a player,
mature, and build confidence. I feel like with 3 more years of varsity basketball, it will
help me to continue to improve as a player and build upon the foundation I already
have.
The VIP Crew: Do you feel you are a vocal leader, a silent leader, or a little bit of both
when necessary?
Tinsley: I would say I do a little bit of both. At times when I need to, I use my voice to
be a leader in the locker room or in the huddle, but I like to lead by example. I pride
myself on how hard I play and by setting that example of playing with a high motor the
entire game, it leads to my teammates doing the same thing.
The VIP Crew: Your versatility, inside, mid, and outside game, defensive presence, left
and right-hand functioning, and you have developed a baby hook, which I feel is a lost
move… how does your versatility separate you from the pack?
Tinsley: The main reason I feel like my versatility separates me from others is that it
allows me to not just be a 1-dimensional player. A coach can put me in at any position
on the floor, 1-5 and I can have a big impact on the game and help the team win.
The VIP Crew: Good luck to you and your Anacoco squad this upcoming season. I
cannot wait to follow the progress and we will talk soon. Is there anything else you’d like
to add before I let you go?
Tinsley: I’d like to give a shout out to my parents for always being there for me, no
matter how good or bad it’s going and for helping me grow to not only be the best
basketball player I can be, but also the best overall person I can be.
Comments