There is no future in our midst without first acknowledging those who came before us here at TLU. All former Bulldogs set the standard for what it meant to “Learn Boldly” and “Live to Inspire”. And, what better way to continue throwback month, then to spotlight one of our distinguished former athletes and alumni.

This past week, I sat down with former player, graduate assistant, and now assistant coach of TLU Basketball, Jorden Kite. I’ve known Jorden for the past couple of years now since he first recruited me out of high school, and he has only done amazing things since. He is the perfect example of someone that let his passions guide his journey to doing what he loves everyday. He’s had quite the unique journey in his young career, so I asked him to explain what has transpired from his playing days to now as a coach.

“So out of high school I decided to stay local and play my college career with my older brother at UIW (University of the Incarnate Word). I was all freshman team honorable mention and finished in the top 10 in the nation in free throw percentage. Then from there I dealt with injuries and a coaching change.”

Jorden Kite

Kite spent his first four years of playing at UIW and found a lot of success there, before eventually finding his way to TLU for the first time.

“So I graduated from UIW and Coach Wacker (former TLU Head Coach) and Falke (Current TLU Head Coach) offered me an opportunity to play 1 year, and my first coach spot as a graduate assistant after I finished my eligibility.”

Jorden Kite

Kite used his final year of basketball eligibility to its fullest potential. He averaged double digit points in scoring and led the Bulldogs as a surprise team all the way to the conference championship game before losing there. He found much success in his quick two years here as a player turn graduate assistant, before graduating with his master’s in Data Analytics and making another big move along his journey.

“From there I was an intern in the San Antonio Spurs Analytics room for 2 months, where I was basically just running code and numbers on trends in the NBA. Then last year I was in the Spurs Video room and my job was a Video Coordinator. So I helped with scouts on other teams, did film cuts on certain plays and player tendencies, then helped assist working out players that were rehabbing or staying behind on the road trips.”

Jorden Kite

It is not too often that somebody that young out of college, finds his way into working with an NBA organization! This just shows all the places that graduates from TLU can find their way to with a little bit of ambition, a lot of hard work, and a degree of course.

“From there I then came back to TLU because I think my coaching lifestyle and interests are best suited for younger guys, 18-22, where it’s all about developing them as men and players.”

Jorden Kite

Jorden is now, once again, back at TLU as an assistant coach and I had to ask what was it about TLU that has kept bringing him back.

“I will always be appreciative for Coach Wacker and Falke for giving me my first coaching opportunity. So once I kind of mentioned I wanted to shift back to being in college, Coach Falke suggested to come back for this year. And I thought it was very important because having played here for a year and also being a graduate assistant, I knew what kind of character some of the guys had, which is very important to me.

Jorden Kite

Next I asked Jorden what some of his fondest memories were as a player, during what he would call his “glory days” before going into “retirement” as a basketball player.

“I think as a player a few things stick out. The first would be playing in an exhibition game against my alma mater at UIW and just how unique of a situation that was after playing there for 4 years, then playing elsewhere. Another was being picked not to finish so high in conference at TLU, and then making it all they way to the conference title and just coming up a little short.”

Jorden Kite

There were also some notable moments Kite has had as a coach so far that he wanted to highlight.

“As a coach, I would say during my graduate assistant year was the strides we made from the free throw line after the 1st 4 games was very significant and showed that guys would buy into something that was out of the norm. To me, it showed that the guys we had would do whatever it took to win. And, I think we started out as the worst free throw shooting team in the conference and ended up later finishing 1st.

Jorden Kite

After all of the reminiscing that I asked of Kite, I finally asked him about what the current future holds for the fresh 2022-23 Men’s Basketball season, as he now enters his 3rd year of being a part of the TLU Basketball family.

“This year I am looking forward to the strides our guys continue to take. It’s a new year, new team, new coach, and with that comes new experiences. It’s a hungry group of guys that all have each other’s back and respond well to adversity and being coached. And I think that showed Tuesday night (TLU won 85-66 in their season opener) that we are gritty and will play a full 40 minutes every game”

Jorden Kite

I hope this interview with Jorden can inspire you other current Bulldogs to pursue what is out there after college for whatever your passions or career goals desire. I also want to encourage all of the student body to try to build connections and relationships with former alumni, as many of them may be working on campus right now that you may have not known before. Your dreams are always out there in front of you, even though your journey may lead you along a different path.

Since it is now November, fall sports are winding down while winter sports are just getting started. Be sure to come out support both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams at Memorial Gymnasium. Be early and be loud in the student section all season long!

Good luck to everybody on finals that are quickly approaching!

Go bulldogs and pups up!