Earl Timberlake Shows Toughness in NCAA Tournament

Photo : Instagram / @bryanthoops

Earl Timberlake is known for being strong and brave by his Bryant teammates. On Friday night, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Michigan State, he showed everyone how tough he really is. While fighting for a rebound, Timberlake got hit in the forehead by an elbow from Michigan State player Carson Cooper. Blood ran down his face, and he had to leave the game for treatment. But after a few minutes, he came back with a white bandage on his head and kept playing. He finished the game with 14 points, five assists, and four rebounds in what was his last college game.

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Bryant’s coach, Phil Martelli Jr., was proud of Timberlake’s effort. “If walking off the court covered in blood isn’t a ‘One Shining Moment’ clip, I don’t know what is,” he said. Timberlake later said that when he got hit, he didn’t realize what had happened until he saw the blood. He only thought about getting treated fast so he could return to help his team.

Timberlake, who is 6 feet 6 inches tall, got mixed up with the 6-foot-11 Cooper while reaching for the ball. The referee called a foul on Cooper as Timberlake fell to the floor. He had to leave the game for about four minutes to get stitches. Even though the injury looked bad, his coach was sure he would come back. “I knew he would clean it up and be back,” Martelli said. “That’s who Earl Timberlake is.”

When Timberlake returned with just over four minutes left in the first half, he played until the last few minutes of the game when the result was already clear. As he walked off the court, he put a towel over his head and hugged assistant coach Chris Cole. It was an emotional moment because Timberlake had been through a tough journey before coming to Bryant.

Before joining Bryant, he played for Miami and Memphis, but things did not go well. He struggled and even thought about quitting basketball. He said he was in a dark place and lost his love for the game. But Bryant helped him find joy in basketball again. He thanked the team and coaches for supporting him and bringing back his passion for the sport.

Even though Bryant lost the game 87-62 to Michigan State, Timberlake showed great heart and determination. He proved why he was named the American East Player of the Year. His journey was not easy, but his story is one of never giving up and finding happiness again in the game he loves.