Seattle U Guard Will Go Down as One of the All-Time Redhawk Greats
Seattle U Guard Will Go Down as One of the All-Time Redhawk Greats
Riley Grigsby had a goal when he signed with the Redhawks in 2018.
There are times as a college basketball fan that you get to see something special. Perhaps it is a certain play. It might even be the thrilling finish of a wild ball game.
Sometimes, though, it is as simple as watching a player become a legend.
Jan. 14, 2023 was a battle of unbeaten WAC teams. Utah Valley was hosting Seattle U. The Wolverines had won 11 straight to that point. Seattle U was riding a five-game winning streak.
First place in the WAC standings was on the line.
If you know anything of the history between the Wolverines and Redhawks, at least recently, you knew this was going to be a street fight that came down to the final few possessions.
That is where the legendary status of one Riley Grigsby was stamped in concrete.
First, with a little over 10 minutes to play, there was the inbounds play. Off a Cam Tyson screen, Alex Schumacher found Grigsby for the alley-oop flush.
Then, with 30 seconds to play and the game all square at 78, Grigsby came off a ladder screen and called bank.
It was enough as the Redhawks snapped Utah Valley’s 11-game winning streak to remain the only unbeaten team in WAC play.
Plays like that night in Orem are the epitome of a 6-6 combo guard out of San Jose, California.
“The amount of time and effort and sweat and what Riley’s gone through the last five years,” Seattle U head coach Chris Victor said. “He’s just the ultimate team guy.”
133 games in a Redhawk uniform. 106 of those games as a starter. Over the past four seasons, Grigsby has started in all but four games.
Grigsby signed his letter of intent in 2018 as a true freshman with the desire to elevate the program.
“I mean when I first committed to Seattle U my goal was to elevate this program, bring it to another level.”
Goal accomplished.
Seattle U has won 20-plus games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 60 years. Along with the wins came a share of the 2021-22 WAC regular season title, a first in program history.
“He’s gonna leave Seattle as one of the all-time greats,” Victor said. “Most games played in Seattle U history. He gave everything he had.”
In the past two seasons, Grigsby was a key component of a three-headed monster.
2021-22 featured Grigsby, Darrion Trammell and newcomer Cam Tyson.
2022-23 featured Grigsby, Tyson and newcomer Alex Schumacher.
Grigsby averaged 12.8 points during the regular season title run.
In his final season, Grigsby was more efficient averaging 13.5 points while shooting a better percentage from the field and 3-point range.
Grigsby’s best season came during the 2020-21 season. 17.8 points and 5.1 rebounds on a team that lost in the WAC semifinals to eventual champion Grand Canyon.
However, it’s not the stats that make Grigsby an all-time great. It’s the leadership, caring more about teammates, and always thinking about the program first that sets him apart.
“For a guy to be here for five years,” Victor said. “For five consecutive years, that’s always thinking about the program and his teammates first is special. And that’s who he is. That’s where is heart’s at. That’s why he’s meant so much to us.”
For teammate and sharpshooter Cam Tyson, the feeling was the same as his head coach.
“I came from a Power 5 and I didn’t know what to expect,” Tyson said. “Riley and the rest of the guys welcomed me with open arms. I was in a situation where I had to prove myself again and they allowed me a chance to do that.”
Tyson continued.
“When you’re around those group of guys everyday it makes it so much easier to come and compete everyday.”
Coming in as a true freshman, the goal was to elevate the program to a new level.
“I feel like over my past five years, we’ve definitely done that.”
Back-to-back 20-win seasons and a WAC regular season title attest to that feeling.
“That’s why he’s meant so much to us,” Victor said. “He can be proud of everything he’s accomplished over his last five years.”