Santa Cruz, California – The Santa Cruz Warriors have a new addition to their team, and he’s ready to make a big impact. LJ Cryer, a 22-year-old guard from the University of Houston, has joined the Warriors for the upcoming season. And he’s been learning from one of the best in the business – former Warriors great and NBA champion, David Toohey.
Cryer is no stranger to success on the basketball court. In his senior year of high school, he led Morton Ranch High School to a state championship in Texas. And during his time at the University of Houston, he helped the team to back-to-back American Athletic Conference titles and a Final Four appearance in the NCAA tournament. Now, he’s ready to take his skills to the next level with the Warriors.
But Cryer knows that he still has a lot to learn and improve upon. That’s why he’s been soaking up as much knowledge as he can from Toohey. The 6’10” power forward was a key member of the Santa Cruz Warriors from 2015-2017 and played a big role in the team’s championship run in 2015. Toohey’s experience and expertise are invaluable to Cryer as he prepares for his professional debut.
“He’s been great,” Cryer said of Toohey. “He’s been teaching me a lot of things, especially on defense. He’s just been showing me little things that I can do to make a big impact on the court. And I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him.”
Toohey, who has been working with the Warriors as a player development coach, is impressed by Cryer’s work ethic and determination.
“LJ is a sponge,” Toohey said. “He’s just soaking everything in and willing to learn. He’s got a lot of potential and I’m excited to see him grow as a player.”
And Cryer’s growth has been evident on the court during the Warriors’ practice sessions. His speed, agility, and shooting ability have caught the attention of the coaching staff and his teammates. Warriors head coach, Kris Weems, believes that Cryer has the potential to be a key player for the team this season.
“LJ has been showing a lot of promise,” Weems said. “He’s a great athlete and he’s been working hard to improve his game. He’s going to be a big asset for us this season.”
But Cryer isn’t the only new face that has caught the eye of the Warriors. De’Anthony Melton, a 23-year-old guard from the University of Southern California, has also been practicing with the team. Melton, a second-round pick in the 2018 NBA draft, spent the last three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. And his NBA experience has been invaluable to the Warriors’ young roster.
“De’Anthony brings a lot of energy and leadership to our team,” Cryer said. “He’s been in the league for a few years now and he knows what it takes to be successful. He’s been a great mentor for me and I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Melton’s leadership and experience have also been noticed by his new teammates.
“De’Anthony has been a great addition to our team,” said Warriors point guard, Isaiah Reese. “He’s someone that we can all learn from and he’s been pushing us to be better every day in practice.”
With Cryer and Melton joining an already talented Warriors roster, the team has high hopes for the upcoming season. And Cryer is ready to do whatever it takes to help the team achieve their goals.
“I’m just excited to be a part of this team,” Cryer said. “I know we have a great group of guys and I’m ready to contribute in any way I can. I’m going to keep learning and working hard every day to help us be successful.”
The Santa Cruz Warriors’ regular season begins on November 5th, and fans can’t wait to see Cryer and Melton in action. With the guidance of Toohey and the support of his teammates, Cryer is sure to shine on the court and make a name for himself in the NBA. Warriors fans, get ready to witness the rise of LJ Cryer – the future of Santa Cruz basketball.
