Kansas State University Athletics
‘I’m Just Very Blessed’
Feb 09, 2024 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Taymont Lindsey thought he was receiving a funny team award. Kansas State basketball is about family and families have fun, and so, sometimes they have little contests or games, and the winner is brought to the front of the meeting room in front of his teammates and is presented with a certificate acknowledging his accomplishment.
That's what Lindsey thought he was receiving.
What he actually received was a certificate informing him that the course of his college career was about to change.
Lindsey, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound walk-on from Kerens, Texas, who played his previous four years at Manhattan Christian College, received a full-ride scholarship with the Wildcats.
K-State teammates cheered and surrounded Lindsey in a group hug.
Lindsey called his parents, Thurston and Trina, after practice to inform them of his wonderful news.
"We had a long talk, very emotional," he said. "Long journey, lots of hard work, and I just thank God to be in this position. The call was very emotional, for sure."
Lindsey now possesses a vacant scholarship that had previously been held as head coach Jerome Tang sought to find a top-flight competitor who fit the program.
"We were going to flip over every rock to see if we could find someone to come in and add value to the program either immediately or in the future and nobody popped up," Tang said. "I've been a part of several of them where we put a walk-on on scholarship. It's always very cool."
Lindsey becomes the second former MCC product to earn a scholarship in as many years. Nate Awbrey earned a scholarship last year. Lindsey attended a few K-State games last year to watch his friend and former teammate in action.
However, after Lindsey finished his fourth season with MCC, where he received a degree in management and ethics, Lindsey returned to Texas and coached youth basketball this past summer. That is, until Awbrey gave him a call and asked if he'd consider returning to Manhattan — this time to play for the Wildcats.
Lindsey saw action in 109 games in his four-year career at MCC, averaging 9.8 points on 49.3% shooting, including 30.1% from 3-point range, with 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He finished his career with 1,068 points.
"I was like, 'I can do this,'" Lindsey said. "The opportunity presented itself at K-State and it was a sign from God that I had to take it."
Lindsey has played one minute this season. One single minute. But his value is immeasurable.
"He's a very mature person and he sees the big picture," Tang said. "He really embraces his role as a walk-on and understands that he's here to bring it every day in practice and really be another voice, another coach's voice in the locker room.
"We're just blessed to have someone like him, and he can hoop, so the guys respect him."
Lindsey, who is working on a master's degree in academic advising, plans to pursue a career in coaching upon graduation.
"I feel like I could pour into other student-athletes out there," he said, "and tell them the best I can to help them out on their journey as well."
Lindsey also has a piece of advice to youngsters who aspire to play basketball — even if they don't immediately receive a scholarship.
"It takes a lot of heart," he said. "I'm not going to say it's easy. You have to work hard for what you want in life. You can't give up. You have to keep striving and hopefully it'll all pay off.
"And it did."
Taymont Lindsey thought he was receiving a funny team award. Kansas State basketball is about family and families have fun, and so, sometimes they have little contests or games, and the winner is brought to the front of the meeting room in front of his teammates and is presented with a certificate acknowledging his accomplishment.
That's what Lindsey thought he was receiving.
What he actually received was a certificate informing him that the course of his college career was about to change.
Lindsey, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound walk-on from Kerens, Texas, who played his previous four years at Manhattan Christian College, received a full-ride scholarship with the Wildcats.
K-State teammates cheered and surrounded Lindsey in a group hug.
"I honestly couldn't believe it," Lindsey said, sitting on Thursday inside the very meeting room at the Ice Family Practice Facility, where his life changed that morning. "Once I read those words that I was on scholarship, my first thought was how blessed I am to be here and to be a part of this program. Even when I wasn't on scholarship, I was just fine, but it's a blessing to receive a scholarship. I'm just very blessed."A little surprise for @Tada_Head15 #KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/0umaYL0I8Z
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) February 8, 2024
Lindsey called his parents, Thurston and Trina, after practice to inform them of his wonderful news.
"We had a long talk, very emotional," he said. "Long journey, lots of hard work, and I just thank God to be in this position. The call was very emotional, for sure."
Lindsey now possesses a vacant scholarship that had previously been held as head coach Jerome Tang sought to find a top-flight competitor who fit the program.
"We were going to flip over every rock to see if we could find someone to come in and add value to the program either immediately or in the future and nobody popped up," Tang said. "I've been a part of several of them where we put a walk-on on scholarship. It's always very cool."
Lindsey becomes the second former MCC product to earn a scholarship in as many years. Nate Awbrey earned a scholarship last year. Lindsey attended a few K-State games last year to watch his friend and former teammate in action.
However, after Lindsey finished his fourth season with MCC, where he received a degree in management and ethics, Lindsey returned to Texas and coached youth basketball this past summer. That is, until Awbrey gave him a call and asked if he'd consider returning to Manhattan — this time to play for the Wildcats.
Lindsey saw action in 109 games in his four-year career at MCC, averaging 9.8 points on 49.3% shooting, including 30.1% from 3-point range, with 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He finished his career with 1,068 points.
"I was like, 'I can do this,'" Lindsey said. "The opportunity presented itself at K-State and it was a sign from God that I had to take it."
Lindsey has played one minute this season. One single minute. But his value is immeasurable.
"He's a very mature person and he sees the big picture," Tang said. "He really embraces his role as a walk-on and understands that he's here to bring it every day in practice and really be another voice, another coach's voice in the locker room.
"We're just blessed to have someone like him, and he can hoop, so the guys respect him."
Lindsey, who is working on a master's degree in academic advising, plans to pursue a career in coaching upon graduation.
"I feel like I could pour into other student-athletes out there," he said, "and tell them the best I can to help them out on their journey as well."
Lindsey also has a piece of advice to youngsters who aspire to play basketball — even if they don't immediately receive a scholarship.
"It takes a lot of heart," he said. "I'm not going to say it's easy. You have to work hard for what you want in life. You can't give up. You have to keep striving and hopefully it'll all pay off.
"And it did."
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