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May 5, 2009 Northridge, Calif. - Dathan Lyles, who helped lead Salt Lake Community College to the 2009 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship, has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Cal State Northridge. Lyles will enroll in the Fall of 2009, according to Matador head coach Bobby Braswell. "We're obviously happy to have Dathan join the Matador basketball family," said Braswell. "We obviously lost a lot of good players at the guard position (due to graduation). Dathan brings us a tremendous amount of experience at the championship level (helped lead SLCC to the national jc title). He can score (inside and outside), and possesses speed and quickness. He can also put defensive pressure on the opponents guard from every area of the court." Lyles is a 5-11, 160, guard who averaged 9.6 points and led the team in steals (78, 2.1 spg) during the 2008-09 season. His 188 assists (3.2 apg) last year were second-best on the team. Lyles hit .374 (43-for-115) from three-point territory. Lyles' scoring totals helped SLCC to a 31-6 overall record, and a first place finish in District "A" and Regional 18. In the semifinals of the national championship tournament, Lyles scored 17 points in a 78-73 upset victory over top-ranked Chipola College. Although playing with a sprained ankle in the first half, Lyles played his best game of the tournament. Besides the 17 points, Lyles hit 3-of-5 from three-point territory, and collected two assists and two steals. It was SLCC's first ever national title. The Bruins went on a 33-11 run in the last 12 minutes of the game to erase a 15-point drought of 49-34 with 12:37 left. In the national tournament opener against Shelton Community College, Lyles produced 12 points along with seven assists. Lyle's best point total of the year was a 19-point effort against Snow College. In a later game against Snow, Lyle produced a season-high nine
rebounds.
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During his freshman season (2006-07 season), Lyles averaged 12.4 points. Lyles hit 32-of-84 three-point attempts for .381 percent. Lyles redshirted during the 2007-08 season.
Lyles graduated from Lima Senior High School in Lima, Oh., where he averaged 16.8 points per game.
Lyles comes from a big family. Lyles has nine brothers and sisters all of whom have their first names starting with the letter "D". Lyles easily can name all his siblings (five brothers, four sisters) - DaVida, Damon, Damond, Davon, Danielle, Dramanye, Denzel, Deidre and Darcia.
"Cal State Northridge is a good fit," said Lyles. "Their style of play fits my style of play. I like the coaching staff, the players, the program, and the education at Cal State Northridge."
He sounds like a great player and I look
forward to seeing what he can contribute to the '90-'10 team. WELCOME ABOARD DATHAN!
