On March 12, 2024, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies claimed their victory against the Milwaukee Panthers, where Trey Townsend registered a career-high 38 points.
The Golden Grizzlies looked confident starting from the very first half, leading 37-33 and 46-43 in the second half.
With this 83-76 win in the Horizon League championship, Oakland earned its first NCAA Tournament bid in 10 years.
In the Golden Grizzlies’ 83-point game, forward Townsend scored 27 of 38 points in the second half, with 16 coming in the last six minutes and 7 in the last three minutes.
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Trey Townsend, with parents from a similar athletic background, is anticipated to make a significant impact during the NCAA tournaments.
However, the 22-year-old college athlete is here to create his own legacy.
I’m ready to write my own story.
Key Takeaways
- Trey’s father, Skip, had no intention of playing basketball after high school.
- After her time at OU, Trey’s mother, Nicole, attended dental school at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.
- Trey’s father, Skip, worked as a marketing manager for GM Goodwrench.
His Parents Played Basketball At Oakland
Trey’s mother, Nicole Leigh, was a varsity basketball team member during her undergraduate days at Oakland University and later pursued her academic goals.
Similarly, his father, Lawrence “Skip” Townsend, also played basketball at Oakland University.
Skip played as a center under the head coach, Greg Kampe, and when Trey joined Oakland, they became the first father-son duo to play for Kampe.
“Skip was a pure center, he was 6’8” and worked in the post, where Trey works more on the perimeter,” said the head coach.
Lawrence played with the then-Pioneers, now-Golden Grizzlies, during the Division II era from 1986 to 90, leading them to their first 20-win season (1986-87).
Skip Attending Oakland Was A Last-Minute Choice
Skip had no intention of playing basketball after high school. He had applied to enroll at Penn State University and was already accepted.
Oakland was never in his mind until he attended a basketball camp. Following his impressive performance, one of Oakland’s assistant coaches who organized the camp followed up with Skip.
His decision to join Oakland, which the then-Oakland assistant coaches slightly influenced, changed the course of his life.
“I really hadn’t intended to pursue playing college basketball, but Oakland approached me and offered me a great education and the opportunity to continue my athletic career,” said Townsend.
“They told me to try it out for a year and if I didn’t like it, I could transfer to Penn State.”
One of the other reasons that altered his decision was “the female to male ratio” at OU, he jokingly said.
After four years at OU and earning his undergraduate degree in marketing, Skip started working at General Motors in the call center.
Later, he started working as a marketing manager for GM Goodwrench. Similarly, his wife, Nicole, is a doctor.
Nicole Leigh Works As A Dentist
After her time at OU, Nicole attended dental school at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.
Trey’s mother graduated second in her class. She was also on the Dean’s List each year, earning herself the Basch Memorial Scholarship, the Harry M. Seamans Award, and a few others.
Leigh is currently occupied with her professional life. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, Oakland County Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
When not busy, Dr. Leigh and her husband take time for their five children: Trey, Zach, Rachel, Jesse, and Lauren.
Trey’s Take On Carrying The Legacy
In his self-published article, Trey emphasizes that he is there to write his own story. This does not mean that he does not acknowledge his parents’ legacy.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love everything about the legacy my parents left behind, and I always feel a sense of pride when I’m mentioned alongside them,” he writes.
His article reads that he continuously wants to improve and would never take things for granted.
He concludes by writing he wants people to remember him as a “great teammate and even better friend.”
FAQs
Where Does Trey’s Brother Zach Townsend Study?
Trey Townsend’s brother Zach attends Oxford High School, where he plays soccer. In fact, Zach is a Redshirt Sophomore.
What Are Trey Townsend’s Career Aspirations?
Trey Townsend is currently balancing school and basketball and wants to eventually get a college degree. Needless to say, he wants to play basketball on a professional level someday.
