For the first time in his basketball-playing life, Tyrone Nash doesn’t know what comes next.
The Queens native went from Lawrence Woodmere Academy to Northfield Mt. Hermon Prep to a four-year career at Notre Dame. The 6-foot-8 forward knows he’ll start his professional career in Europe, but where is a mystery.
“It’s the real world now,” Nash told The Post. “It’s crazy. It’s just another stepping stone, another phase of my life I’m going through.”
Nash said he’s got offers on the table from teams in Spain, France, Greece and Turkey and should know his destination in about two weeks. Wherever in Europe he goes, Nash said he’s prepared.
“I’m getting my Rosetta Stone ready,” he said. “I’ve been trying to eat different kinds of food – Spanish food, French food, Greek food, Mediterranean food – just trying to coax my stomach for wherever I go. Anywhere I go will be a blessing.”
To stay sharp, Nash is playing with Big Apple Basketball at Nike Pro City. On Thursday night at Baruch, he helped lead his team to a 132-124 victory against X-Men.
“This is a nice venue, nice atmosphere to show people what you’re working on,” Nash said.
A two-year starter at Notre Dame, Nash averaged 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last year. He was also third on the team with 2.6 assists per game, which speaks to his versatility and basketball IQ.
“He was a last-minute addition to the team, but he’s good because he’s a fresh face to the league, he brings a lot of energy, he can play inside, outside, he’s got a very good IQ,” Big Apple Basketball coach Jason Curry said. “His overall demeanor as a person and a player is good for our team.”
Curry said the same skill-set that made Nash a standout at Notre Dame will benefit him as a professional wherever he lands in Europe.
“I think Ty’s biggest strength is his versatility and understanding of the game,” Curry said. “He plays within himself and he’s a very smart and heady play. You don’t see that in a lot of young players.”
Nash averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four blocks as a junior and 17 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and three blocks as a senior at Lawrence Woodmere, earning IPPSAL Conference Player of the Year in each season.
After a year of prep school, Nash chose Notre Dame over Georgia, Indiana and Kentucky. He played sparingly as a freshman, but made a big jump as a sophomore, coming off the bench to play in 34 games. Nash started every game of his junior and senior seasons and helped guide the Fighting Irish to the third round of the NCAA Tournament where he his collegiate career ended in a 71-57 loss to Florida State.
“It was a great four years I had at Notre Dame and now it’s on to being a real man and trying to make a career out of this,” Nash said. “The four years go by so quickly. You take a step back to actually look back at it and it was fun, four years I’ll never forget.”
Like any other high-level Division I player, Nash had dreams of being selected in the NBA Draft, but also prepared himself mentally for the likelihood he wouldn’t get picked. He still has dreams of playing in the NBA, but knows he’ll have to pay his dues oversees first.
“I faced reality quickly,” Nash said. “I understood that it would be a tough road to get to the NBA, but it’s in the foreseeable future if I work hard, things go my way and I have a little luck of the Irish with me.”