Marcus Camby's godson Tyson Etienne hopes to fulfill dream with Knicks
Tyson Etienne of the Wichita State Shockers sets up a play against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena on November 19, 2021 in Las Vegas. Credit: Getty Images/Ethan Miller
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Tyson Etienne was wearing diapers when he attended his first Knicks game.
Etienne, who is the godson of former Knick Marcus Camby, was a regular at Madison Square Garden in the early 2000s. The Wichita State guard was understandably thrilled to work out Wednesday for the team he grew up cheering for.
“It’s always been my childhood dream to play for the Knicks,” said Etienne, who played one season at Long Island Lutheran. “I know you can’t predict the journey and how it’s going to come about. I don’t know what’s going to happen June 23, but I would be super appreciative to put on the blue and orange.”
Etienne, 22, was one of a half dozen prospects who took part in a predraft workout at the Knicks' practice facility. Etienne, who led Wichita in scoring the last two seasons, is projected to be selected in the second round or go undrafted. The Knicks have the 11th and 42nd picks in the draft.
Etienne grew up in Fort Lee, New Jersey, but played his junior year at Long Island Lutheran and was named to Newsday’s All-Long Island team in 2017-18. After playing a year at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, the 6-2 guard played three seasons at Wichita State.
Etienne’s father Max, who played basketball for two seasons at the University of Maryland, is a longtime friend of Camby’s. The families are so close that Etienne refers to Camby as "Uncle Marcus" and the two talk frequently.
“He’s one of my closest friends even though he’s much older than me,” Etienne said of Camby. “I always talk to him and take his ear about different things in life and basketball.”
Etienne has worked out for six teams, including the Nets. He said it was just a thrill to be on the court working out for the Knicks Wednesday.
Said Etienne: “It was fun. The energy was high. I really enjoyed it. Being from New York City to play for the Knicks was always an honor and a childhood dream. Just to be on the court and be in the facility and see everyone pay attention to you and be able to compete with those guys. It’s an amazing feeling.”
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Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
