Evansville's all-time HS basketball scorer Tyler Myers commits to the Purple Aces

EVANSVILLE — Evansville Day School guard Tyler Myers has picked his collegiate home.

The city's all-time leading high school basketball scorer with 2,788 career points announced his commitment to the University of Evansville Purple Aces via Instagram on Wednesday. Myers broke the record, previously held by Bosse graduate and Miami (Ohio) point guard Mekhi Lairy, in early December against Tell City.

The 5-foot-10 guard ranks sixth in the state's history and will open Class A sectional play next week. He's never claimed to be the best athlete on the floor, but at a small school, he's proven he's willing to work hard.

Tyler Myers:Day School guard breaks Evansville's all-time high school scoring record

He will be considered a walk-on because he has received the Vanderburgh County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, which provides four years of full tuition. He could've picked from any four-year college in Indiana, but in January, he also won the UE High School Changemaker Challenge that guaranteed a full ride to UE. He is interested in studying psychology and pursuing a career as a psychiatrist.

Myers was honored during Wednesday's UE men's basketball game against Illinois-Chicago for receiving the scholarship.

"First, I’d like to thank God for all the blessings and opportunities he’s presented me with. Absolutely none of this is possible without him," Myers wrote. "To all of my teammates, coaches, and trainers, I thank you for all of hours invested in me. You all are truly appreciated. Mom, Dad, Alyssa, and Brantley, thank you for not only assisting me on my athletic journey, but for the unwavering support and unconditional love shown. Thank you to everyone else who has helped mold me into the individual I am. With that said, I am beyond excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career to play basketball at the University of Evansville!"

Myers is the fourth incoming freshman to commit to the Purple Aces after ESPN four-star prospect Chuck Bailey III, Michael Day and Braylon Jackson. UE also signed Salt Lake Community College point guard Tanner Cuff as a transfer.

UE's incoming class: Meet the Purple Aces' three new signees: Tanner Cuff, Braylon Jackson, Michael Day

"It's really sinking in right now just because this has been something that I've dreamt of forever, ever since I started playing the game," Myers told the Courier & Press. "I wanted to be playing at a school I feel I can flourish at and playing basketball has always been a crucial part of me since I was three years old. Just being able to see the work pay as, as cliche as it is, it's just something that I'll forever be grateful for."

Myers has "been in talks" with coach David Ragland and the UE staff throughout his senior season. He said he reached out to the staff and they eventually met to talk about the opportunity of playing for UE — "it just kind of flourished over the last two months or so, and now I'm committed," Myers said.

Staying home was also an attractive option. He has thought about playing collegiately in his hometown since he was a freshman.

"It's awesome to be able to stay at home and this home community that has supported me in any way for the last four years or so in my basketball career and in other ways," Myers said. "Being able to see this come to fruition is something that I'm beyond grateful for."

Myers talked about the team and the culture the first-year staff is trying to build. He's met some of the players and said he likes the culture Ragland is trying to build.

"Coach Ragland is most concerned about making great men out of his program and I feel that I can 100% vibe with that," Myers said. "His goal is to make us a tight-knit team and then we'll develop the wins. That's something that I wholeheartedly believe in and support."

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Day School's Tyler Myers commits to University of Evansville