“Where Are They Now?”

In 1973, as an 8-year-old, I began my journey into the world of college basketball, and it all started with the Seton Hall Pirates.

Hailing from my hometown of Paterson, New Jersey, Bosco Bell, a legendary figure, was a freshman at Seton Hall University and part of the 1973-74 team. Throughout that season, I avidly followed Seton Hall’s games, solidifying my allegiance to the team.

As the 1974-75 season approached, whispers circulated about a talented guard who was poised to elevate Seton Hall’s status onto the national stage alongside Glenn Mosely who was one of the best big men in the nation. The prospect of witnessing this new talent, Greg Tynes, in action, filled me with excitement.

Tynes possessed a smooth style, adept at handling the ball, shooting, and dishing out assists, even as a freshman. Over the subsequent three years at Seton Hall, he would emerge as one of the premier guards in the east and the country. Little did I know that our paths would converge later in life, during my tenure as a college coach scouting for talent. It was then that I had the privilege of meeting the man I had long admired from afar.

Tynes had transitioned into the role of head coach at Clifford Scott High School in East Orange, New Jersey, where his legacy continued to flourish. Recently, I had the honor of sitting down with this icon of Seton Hall and New Jersey basketball to delve deeper into his journey and glean insights into his current endeavors.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born and raised in Orange, New Jersey.

Talk about some of your biggest influences growing up.

Besides my parents, the late LeRoy J. Jones had the biggest influence on my life. Growing up in the Orange Housing Projects, I had a lot of mentors, but LeRoy Jones guided my life. He got me my first job, sent me to Five Star Basketball Camp, spoke to all my recruiters, and picked my college. He continued to be my mentor until his passing in 2015.

When and where did the love for sports begin?

As far back as I can remember, I had a love for sports. When you grow up in the housing projects, you are raised with a lot of kids, and all we did was play sports: You name it, we played it! My first memory of team sports was playing football at age 7, so this love for sports began very early.

Was there one sport more than the others you gravitated towards growing up?

I played football, basketball, and baseball growing up. Going into high school, I was probably a better baseball player than a basketball player, but I was also a good receiver in football.

After my freshman year in high school, I decided to focus on basketball. At that time, Orange had so many basketball players whom I looked up to, and I tried to emulate them on the court. When I was in the sixth grade, Orange High School was the number 1 team in the state, with a record of 27-0. Those guys mentored us, and six years later, my team ended up the number one team in the state, with a record of 29-1.

You played collegiately at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. Why did you decide on Seton Hall and where their other schools recruiting you?

The short story is that after speaking with all the recruiters, LeRoy Jones said “go to Seton Hal University.” My final four schools were Princeton (my mother’s choice); Dartmouth (my Vice Principal’s choice); Indiana (my choice); and Seton Hall University. Indiana backed off a little after signing Wayne Radford, one of the best guards in the state of Indiana at that time. I did not want to compete with a local hero for minutes or playing time. Seton Hall was close to home, where my family and friends could see me play, and they played at least four games a year in Madison Square Garden…so that seemed to be the best fit. 

You were a 5th-round draft pick in the 1978 draft by the Boston Celtics, discuss your feelings about being drafted and what were some of the challenges going into the NBA.

It was bitter-sweet. I love the fact that I was drafted, but it was by a team that had six veteran guards under contract at that time. Furthermore, they acquired Nate Archibald in the summer before training camp.

I fulfilled my mother’s dream of graduating from college, which was my ultimate goal–not trying to make it to the NBA. Besides that, there weren’t many challenges going into the NBA. My speed was an advantage. The only challenge was probably strength, as guys on that level were a lot bigger and stronger. 

You have seen and been a part of many decades of collegiate athletics and professional sports, which decade was the most impactful to you and why?

The most impactful decade was probably the 1970’s. That is when I fell in love with basketball. During that time, everyone played on both ends of the floor on every possession. Today’s game is vastly different.

You attended and played at Orange High School in Orange, NJ. Talk about that experience and its impact.

Playing at Orange High School was great! I lost a total of eight games in high school. My freshman year, we were undefeated; my sophomore year, while playing JV, we lost three games; my junior year, while playing Varsity, we lost four games; and my Senior year, we lost one game.

Growing up in Orange, we were taught to “work hard”, run on offense, and press on defense. That style allows you to play freely and have fun while playing the game of basketball. 

What was your most memorable moment as a Collegiate or Professional Athlete?

Even though I went over the 2,000-point mark in Madison Square Garden, that was not my most memorable moment. My most memorable moment happened early in my junior year, when my teammate, Glenn Mosley, and I both went over the 1,000-point mark in the same game on December 18, 1976, vs. Iona. (Has that ever happened before? i.e. teammates scoring their 1,000 points in the same game.)

Many people may not know you were one of the most celebrated high school coaches in the state of New Jersey before retiring, but what inspired you to take that path?

I really got lucky! After being released by the Boston Celtics, I helped Columbia High School and West Orange High School in the same season. The following school year, the Clifford J. Scott High School basketball job was offered to me, and the rest is history. Bill Raftery and Leroy Jones guided me on that path. 

You have transitioned from being a very successful educator and High School coach, what are you doing now?

I mentor several high school coaches, I speak with teams throughout the season, and I do office work/bookkeeping for my wife’s company, Beaumont-Tynes’ Psychological Services. I have a sixteen-year-old bonus son who wrestles and plays tennis for his high school. During basketball season, I see quite a few games (high schools and college, especially Seton Hall University). With that, it seems to keep me busy.