Tyreke Key Bringing Pride To Celina Playing As Vol

Former Clay County Bulldog Tyreke Key bringing pride to the community as he continues in his first season as a basketball player for the Vols.

Key’s High School Coach Rob Edwards said he recalls Key as a humble and hardworking young man. Edwards said he remembers when he first noticed Key had the “it” factor.

“He kept me busy coming to the gym and opening the gym and wanting to get in and shoot and work on his game,” Edwards said. “Early on you could tell the talent was there, but the work ethic was there too. He’s probably the hardest-working kid I’ve ever had.”

Edwards said he’s always thought Key could play at the SEC level. He said he would travel with Key while he played AAU during his junior and senior years of high school, so Key has played at an elite level for some time.

Edwards said that Key has made the entire community proud. He said seeing the payoff of Key’s hard work and achievements has been redeeming. Edwards said a particularly special moment was seeing Key face another former Bulldog, Grant Strong, on the court. Strong plays for Tennessee Tech.

“It’s almost kind of an emotional moment for me,” Edwards said. “You get to know these guys and spend a lot of time with them over four, five years and they become pretty special to you. Both  those guys are great kids, hard workers, they do things the right way. I’m just super proud fo both of them.”