Kent State of Mind: Janae Tyler - It’s All About the Support
2/17/2025 9:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
When I think about my basketball life, I naturally think about my support system first.
I’ve worked relentlessly to improve and reach my full potential—but I couldn’t have done it without the people in my corner.
I think about my teammates and coaches—the ones who increased my basketball IQ, who enhanced my skill set and found ways for me to beat bigger opponents.
I think about my trainers—the staff that took care of me at my worst moments, rehabbed me back from despair, and instilled the belief that my “minor setbacks would produce major comebacks.”
I think about my family—my parents, three sisters, and two brothers, always in the bleachers, filming and cheering, spending their time and energy on me.
They helped me overcome injuries that could have easily derailed my career.
They helped me get to Kent State.
They helped me take my game to the next level.
Most importantly, they fueled my commitment and determination to play the game I love.
Overcoming Setbacks
I didn’t start playing basketball until fourth grade.
I remember going to tryouts and not having a clue what I was doing. I had never touched a basketball in my life, but I thought it would be something fun to do with my friends, so I gave it a shot.
After making the team, I was well behind the skill level of some of my peers, but I was just playing for fun and didn’t have any serious expectations for myself.
That started to change around eighth grade.
I developed more skills and a higher basketball IQ.
People began telling me that I had gotten a lot better and if I kept working, I’d have the opportunity to play college basketball.
So, that year, I made up my mind: I was going to work even harder and take my game to the next level.
As I entered high school, my recruitment picked up.
I was getting letters from coaches and getting invited to camps.
Things were really starting to take off, but when the pandemic hit, everything came to a screeching halt.
The recruitment process got a lot harder. But I didn’t let that discourage me.
I kept working and pushing myself to get better.
Then, another setback.
In my junior year, I suffered a severe ankle sprain that kept me out of action for almost a year. I shredded three ligaments, tore a tendon, and suffered a minor fracture.
While I knew this was a significant injury, I never wavered.
I had an encouraging and caring training staff, who believed I would be able to come back stronger and more confident than ever and play at the next level.
Spoiler alert: I did.
A Perfect Fit
Once I got back on the court, my recruitment started to pick up.
I got a lot of offers, but when Kent State came calling, I had a feeling it would be a great fit. And when I went on my official visit, I knew this was the place for me.
The culture, the coaching staff, and my future teammates made me feel at home the moment I stepped on campus.
I got in the car after my visit and immediately told my family that I was going to Kent State.
Today, I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
I hit the ground running during my first year, earning All-Freshman Team honors.
I attribute a lot of that success to my coaches.
They taught me how to slow down and be more patient on the court, how to read defenses better and communicate with my teammates.
The best example of this came during a home game against Akron.
The Zips had a 6-foot-5 center.
I’m 6-foot-1 on a good day.
Throughout the game, I had to figure out how to use my speed to my advantage so I could still finish at the rim.
That was a turning point for me, and it made me realize that what my coaches were telling me was working.
All of our training was paying off on the court.
My sophomore season, however, has been filled with injuries.
I’ve had multiple concussions and even dislocated my shoulder.
It’s been tough, not going to lie, but I’m just taking it one day at a time and focusing on rehabbing and keeping my shoulder strong for the rest of the season.
I’ve had to dig deep and find that mental toughness again to push through the pain and know when to take a step back and prioritize my health.
As a team, our goal is to repeat as MAC champions and go as far as we can in the tournament.
We want to prove that our success last year wasn’t a fluke.
We have the talent and potential to achieve great things, and I believe in our ability to make it happen.
Individually, I want to stay confident, patient, and trust my teammates. I want to continue developing my skills and becoming a more well-rounded player.
I know I have what it takes to contribute to the success of our team, and I’m going to keep pushing myself to be the best player I can be.
Family Matters
If you come to a Kent State game, you’ll likely hear my brother, Japree, the most vocal supporter in the crowd.
He brings signs, whistles, and his camera — he doesn’t mess around!
I love it.
I’m the middle child of five siblings, so I’m used to having a big, supportive family around me.
Throughout my life, they’ve been the force that’s kept my basketball journey moving forward. They travel to as many games as they can, especially the ones in Michigan where I’m from.
Whether I’m playing or not, they still show up to support our team.
Why? They love basketball, they love my teammates, they love the coaches.
You can always hear them cheering loudly, and they all wear matching gear.
They are in the game as much as we are.
Trust me, you will always know if my family is at a game.
I’m so blessed to have them in my life and to have them as my biggest fans.
They’ve been a huge part of my journey, and I couldn’t have done it without them.
Looking Ahead
As I think about the rest of my career and beyond, I have big goals and aspirations.
I want to continue growing as a player and an individual. I want to be a leader on and off the court, inspiring my teammates and helping them reach their full potential.
And when my basketball career comes to an end, I want to pursue my passion for child psychology and make a difference in the lives of young people.
I’ve seen firsthand how having support structures and people to talk to can change a person’s perspective on life. It’s about finding out things early to help in the future, and I want to be that person for kids and help them navigate through life’s challenges.
But for now, my focus is on the present — my team and this season.
Our success will all go back to that same support system: my family, trainers, teammates, and coaches.
Whether it’s on the court or in my future career, they’ve made me ready to take on whatever comes my way.
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