The leap from high school athletics to the collegiate level is often defined by a steep learning curve, but for WHS graduate Tyshawn Pearson, the foundation built in Union County has proved to be valuable. Now a member of the William Paterson University basketball program, Pearson is navigating the rigors of the NCAA with the same versatility and work ethic that made him a standout for the Blue Devils.
Perhaps the most significant hurdle for any high school player moving to the college game is the sheer speed of play. In New Jersey high school basketball, the absence of a shot clock allows for a slower game with strict, built-in plays. At the college level, this is not available.
“I would compare my college basketball experience to my high school experience just by the pace,” Pearson noted. “Since I transferred over to college, everything just seemed like it was moving fast just because I’m coming from high school, which has no shot clock. I’m now kind of used to the pace, but I still have a lot to learn.”
While the speed of the game changed, the mental requirements did not. Pearson credits the culture at WHS for instilling the discipline necessary to survive in a collegiate environment. Under the high expectations of the WHS coaching staff, Pearson learned that “showing up” was only half the battle.
“The level of commitment to the program at Westfield is second to none; everyone is locked in and ready to work every day at practice or games,” Pearson explained. “At college, that is an expectation of any athletic program, so I just had to build off what I already had from Westfield.”
Those who played alongside Pearson at Westfield aren’t surprised by his ability to adapt. Current WHS senior and captain Jake Russell said, “He’s an all-around player from offense to defense and rebounding. I think that helped him a lot in the transition because even if there were new offensive systems, other parts of his game still shone.”
Furthermore, the strength of the competition in the Union County Conference provided a natural bridge to the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Former teammate and WHS graduate Will Kirby pointed out that Pearson has already spent years facing some of the state’s best talent.
“Westfield plays in the toughest basketball conference in New Jersey, and Pearson competed and performed against every team we played,” Kirby said. “Some of those teams were probably of a similar caliber to college, so Pearson is definitely prepared.”
In his freshman season, Pearson is averaging seven points, three rebounds and more than a steal per game. He has already proven to be a crucial component for the 6-6 Pioneers and hopes to progress in his role in the coming years. As Pearson continues his journey at William Paterson, he builds on his experiences at Westfield—balancing a high basketball IQ with a relentless commitment to the grind. Pearson and the Pioneers will be back in action on Wednesday at 7:30 as they travel to play against Kean University.
