Charlie Byers has a tattoo of a basketball with the letters CBS on his arm. He said the acronym stands for the ‘Charlie Byers Show.’ His father is the one who gave him the nickname, telling him, “On the court, you always have to be the show.” And ever since he started playing for the Tartan Pride that’s exactly what its been—a show.
The 20-year-old Physical Therapy major is leading the Tartan Pride men’s basketball team in scoring at 18.6 points per game.
Byers is a 5 foot 10 inch point guard from Moeller High School (Cincinnati) and has been called the “the key to the offense” by Sinclair head coach Jeff Price.
But growing up, Byers said basketball wasn’t even his favorite sport.
In high school, Byers was recruited to play football at Moeller. But an untimely groin injury sidelined him for his entire football season. At that point, Byers started to develop a true love for the game of basketball.
Not only does Byers lead the team in scoring, but he leads the team in assists as well (4.2 per game). Byers said that the high averages are attributed to the freedom that he has within coach Price’s offense.
“In high school I wasn’t as free as I am now with coach Price,” Byers said. “Coach Price lets me play my game more and make more plays.”
A perfect example of his playmaking ability came against The Ohio State University (Lima) where he notched his first career triple-double. He finished the game with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 17 assists.
When he isn’t playing basketball, Byers said he likes to play pool or go bowling with his family.
“I’m actually a really good bowler and a really good pool player,” Byers said.
Byers said his family has always been his support system. From his dad and his brother teaching him the game, to cheering him on at games.
“Today my dad makes it to all my games, no matter how far out he is and my brother will be behind him,” Byers said.
The freshman standout can be seen before games or around campus jamming out to some music through his Dre Beats headphones.
“My iPod has nothing but T.I. and Jay-Z on there, so that’s what I’m always listening to,” Byers said.
Byers has one year of eligibility left at Sinclair, but his playing status for next season depends on what kind of offers he receives after the season is finished.
Byers has received interest from some Division I schools this season as result of his stellar play, the most prestigious of which is Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
“If I had to pick today, I’d say VCU,” Byers said. “But we’ll see how things go.”
He knows that even though he has turned out a great season for Sinclair, his work isn’t done.
“My game could still get better and better,” Byers said. “As long as I keep working, I really think I’ve got a bright future.”