Kudos to this future volleyball star!
TJ is one of the best collegiate players in the USA right now and he is on track to become one of the world’s best young players to watch out for. He successfully competed with Team USA last year so it was expected that professional club teams would be interested to sign him up.
An Italian club team wanted to sign him up but the 2017 AVCA and MPSF Player of the Year politely declined because he is committed to play for Long Beach until he graduates next year.
In this article released by Long Beach Press Telegram, TJ reveals that after getting the offer he reached out to Coach Knipe to let him know about his decision to stay. Coach Alan Knipe is impressed and thankful that the 6’4 star player is staying.
“It’s hard to replace him, but especially if that comes at the end of the season. I respect him being so mature to tell us early enough that we’d have a chance to prepare if he was going to leave.”
Since the 2018 NCAA Division I season started, Long Beach has been the #1 ranked team after 3 polls and TJ is a big part of this.