Outlook
Emerged as a solid contributer last year after joining program as a walk-on transfer from Canisius College...A good perimeter shooter who provides depth to the backcourt...Solid defender who also can contribute on the boards.
2007-08
Played all 30 games and started last 19 contests after joining program as walk-on following transfer from Canisius...Averaged 6.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in conference action while ranking second on team with 31.7 minutes per game...Led team with 88.1 free-throw percentage and ranked sixth in school history for best single-season free-throw percentage...Began season by making first 14 attempts from charity stripe...Led team with career-high 12 points at Akron (1/30).
2006-07 - Did not play after transferring from Canisius.
2005-06 - Canisius College (Buffalo, NY)
Saw action in 26 contests and played 8.1 minutes per game...Averaged 1.9 points and 1.0 rebounds per outing...Registered perfect 100.0 free-throw percentage with 8-of-8 shooting from the line.
2004-05 - Canisius College (Buffalo, NY)
Played in all 29 games, averaging 11.4 minutes with 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds per outing...Led team with 92.3 free-throw percentage, making 24-of-26 shots..Shot 45.6 percent from field and 33.3 percent from three-point range...Scored season-high 13 points at Fairfield (1/28) and 10 points at Loyola (1/14).
High School - Orange H.S.
As a senior ? Averaged 24.5 points, 11 rebounds and six assists per game as a senior...Named first-team all-district and all-state honorable mention...Earned first-team all-district and all-state honorable mention accolades as a junior in addition to league MVP honors...Owns school record for high jump (6-8) and Chagrin Valley Conference meet records for high jump (6-6 3/4) and long jump (21-11 3/4)...Earned first-team all-state honors in high jump as a junior after finishing third at state meet with a jump of 6-6.
Personal
Full name: Anthony Louis Byrd...Age: 22 (born Nov. 19, 1985)...Son of Ray and Darla Byrd...Has one sister, Allison...Majoring in communication.
Career Highs
Points: 12 at Akron (1/30/08)Rebounds: 7 vs. Bowling Green (3/12/08)Assists: 3 (2 times, last vs. Eastern Michigan (3/4/08)Blocks: 2 (2 times, last vs. Bowling Green (3/12/08)Steals: 3 (3 times, last at Akron (1/30/08)Field Goals: 4 at Akron (1/30/08)Free Throws: 6 vs. Oakland (12/29/07)3-Pt. FGs: 2 (5 times, last vs. Kent State (3/13/08)Minutes: 40 at Eastern Michigan (1/22/08)
Up Close With Anthony Byrd
Nickname: “Byrdman.”
Favorite Food: Any type of seafood.
Favorite All-Time Movie: “Finding Forrester.”
Favorite Pro Sports Team: Los Angeles Lakers.
My Basketball Hero Growing Up Was: Penny Hardaway.
Favorite Sport to Watch: Any type of basketball game - the team doesn’t matter.
The Best Thing About the New Savage Arena will be: How close the fans are to the floor.
Favorite Class: All Communications classes.
Favorite Spot on Campus: The gym and my bed.
Favorite Vacation Spot: Atlanta.
If I could play another sport, it would be: Track.
Other than Toledo ? what team do you use in the NCAA Basketball video game? North Carolina.
Best Halloween Costume you had growing up: Little Giants.
Song you use to pump yourself up before a game: “We Ready” by Archie.
Worst job: Working as a dietary aide at a nursing home.
Age When You Started Playing Basketball: Ever since I can remember.
If I could invite anyone, dead or alive, to dinner, it would be: My grandmother.
Favorite Arena You Have Played on the Road: Reitz Arena at Loyola (MD).
Your Greatest Sports Moment: Finishing third in the high jump at state championships.
One word to describe myself is: Hardworking.
What do you want to be doing 10 years from now? Something where Byrd is a household name.
