Tyler, the Creator

by Seth Berkman After busting his ass in Japan for five months, Jeremy Tyler deserved a day off. Beginning in October 2010, under the tutelage of former NBA coach Bob Hill, Tyler suited up for Tokyo Apache in the bj league—the Basketball Japan League, the top level of pro ball in Japan. Tyler battled in practice with former Sonics center Robert Swift, and became a student of the game, learning his role from the bench as a reserve power forward. After Kendall Dartez, a 6-10, 235-pound forward left the team in February, Tyler lobbied to Hill, Tokyo Apache’s head coach, pleading his case that he could be depended on, starting at the four. Hill granted Tyler’s wish on March 10, placing him in the post alongside Swift. Tyler responded with 24 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks in a 94-80 win over the Akita Happinets. The next day, Tyler planned to relax and run a few errands. In the afternoon, he visited a teammate’s house before they planned to go grocery shopping. That’s when the earthqu...