The 50-point game was crazy. I can't really explain it, but we were playing the defending champs and I knew I wanted to be really aggressive. – Tyrell Corbin
Even when a career in the NBA doesn't materialize, there are plenty of other opportunities to earn a living playing basketball. And leagues in Spain, France, China and Italy don't even scratch the surface of places to play around the world.
Former West High School guard and 2011 Utah Mr. Basketball, Tyrell Corbin knows that first hand.
"I knew I would play basketball for a living," said Corbin. "I just didn't know where. It's a blessing that this game has taken me around the world in such a short time."
Corbin, who is in his second season of professional basketball after finishing his college career at Cal-State Bakersfield, has already made a name for himself in some far-off locales. In two short years, he has played in professional leagues in Montenegro, Mongolia (yes there is professional basketball in Mongolia) and Indonesia.
After spending the first part of his rookie season playing for KK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje in Montenegro, he decided it was time to move on.
"There were complications with our team to where the owner stopped paying everyone," he said. "The situation went on too long and I wanted to leave. Fortunately, another agent was in contact with me because of my play there and he was able to place me in Mongolia in January."
Mongolia was a really good fit for Corbin who enjoyed just about everything but the weather during his time there. "Mongolia was great, but it was really cold. I can remember it being below 0 degrees for the first three months," he said with a laugh. "The food was actually really good. It helped that Burger King and Pizza Hut were in my city."
He also really enjoyed the fans.
"The fans were amazing. I played for one of the top teams, and we had a great season so fans would come up to me almost every day when I would go out to the mall or to eat."
But all the attention from fans took some getting used to.
"It was a little shocking at first to be acknowledged in random places and asked to take a lot of photos."
All of that recognition — along with some great play on the floor — earned him a trip to the all-star game. "The fans voted on a Facebook poll and the coaches voted me as a starter. It was big time for me because it's always nice to have your hard work rewarded."
Corbin also found plenty of team success in Mongolia as he carried SBL Hasiin Khuleguud to the league finals before losing, but his stay in Mongolia only lasted one season.
"I really enjoyed Mongolia but at the end of the day, it's a business and I have to do what's best for me. I'm just focused on getting better every season and moving my way up in every situation. I was contacted and told that I was drafted in Indonesia. Another step above Mongolia, so again I'm just happy that my game has been acknowledged and people want me to play for them."
While the personal success came in Indonesia — he finished sixth in the league in scoring with 24.9 points a night while leading the league with 2.9 steals — his team won just two of 14 games, and that was difficult for Corbin.
"It was really tough playing for a team that didn't win much, but it was a learning experience for sure. My team was the youngest in the league with eight rookies. So the lack of experience for a lot of guys was tough on the team."
It was then that he leaned heavily on the advice of his father — former Utah Jazz player and coach, Ty Corbin — to help get him through.
"I talked to my dad a lot, and he was just telling me to control what I can control, which is playing as hard and as well as I can."
That is exactly what Tyrell did as he left his mark on the league during the last regular season game of the year. In an 85-82 overtime win over CLS Knights, he set a new single-season scoring record with 50 points while also grabbing 11 rebounds and handing out nine assists.
It was an experience he will never forget.
"The 50-point game was crazy. I can't really explain it, but we were playing the defending champs and I knew I wanted to be really aggressive. It worked out for us because my team fought (along) with me and we came out with the win in OT."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n-SloTH_qkCorbin doesn't know where he will end up next on his basketball journey, but he will be ready to play no matter where he lands.
"I have a lot more basketball to play so I'm excited to see where I go next."