Meet the Newbies: Skyler Halford
By Josh Horton
Feb 23 2012; Spokane, WA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Dave Rose looks on against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs would go onto defeat the Cougars by a final score of 74-63. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Skyler Halford joins a handful of recent Cougars who have previously played at Salt Lake Community College, including Agustin Ambrosino, Craig Cusick, Logan Magnuson, and Brock Reichner. The 6’-1” guard from Orem, Utah, will carry on a recent trend in BYU basketball, and look to make an impact at the guard spot, just like Cusick and Reichner did. Here is a closer look at junior BYU guard Skyler Halford.
At Timpangos High School
Halford was a deadly scorer at Timpangos in Orem, Utah. Halford was ranked 2nd in 5A in scoring, with 23.6 points per game. On top of that, he averaged 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists. As a junior he averaged 19.8 points, and as a sophomore Halford averaged 13.2 points. Halford decided to walk-on at Utah State University the next season.
At Utah State
The 6-1 guard redshirted his first season at Utah State. Halford then left on a mission for two years.
Mission
Halford took a two-year LDS mission in Brazil in 2009 and 2010. His original plan was to come back to Utah State, who claimed it would have a scholarship for him when he returned. However, that was not the case, and Halford took the JuCo route.
At Salt Lake Community College
Halford ended up at Salt Lake Community College, where he excelled, especially in the scoring department. He averaged 10.6 and 17.4 points in his freshman and sophomore years, respectively. In his sophomore year he was named to the NJCAA first-team, Region 18 MVP, and SWAC player of the year. Halford shot .461 from the field, .393 from three and .908 from the free throw line last season. He chose BYU over Portland, Hawaii, Idaho, and Idaho State.
Impact at BYU
It will be hard to crack into the guard rotation, considering the Cougars boast a number of quality guards. However, if he can perform at the level he did at SLCC, Rose will be forced to play Halford significant minutes. Halford’s shooting ability is the quality that could get him on the court immediately.