Lyle, Bragg follow unexpected path to Lobo leadership - Albuquerque Journal

Lyle, Bragg follow unexpected path to Lobo leadership

Carlton Bragg (left) and JaQuan Lyle found New Mexico, but not on the first stops of their collegiate careers. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)

In mid-October, Lobo men’s basketball players filled out the latest quiz handed out by their third-year coach, Paul Weir.

At the end of this particular version, the final question asked each player to list who they thought should be the team’s captain.

Two names appeared on every piece of paper: Carlton Bragg and JaQuan Lyle.

“That isn’t something I ask for,” Weir said. “That isn’t something I’ve said, like ‘hey look for these guys’ or ‘follow these guys.’

“That’s just leaders organically emerging.”

PODCAST: To listen to the Talking Grammer podcast conversation with JaQuan Lyle and Carlton Bragg, CLICK HERE.

In 2015, the two now 23-year-old seniors were top-50 national high school recruits being wooed by every major college program in the nation – prospects clearly above the recruiting ceiling of UNM at that time.

Five seasons later, nobody could have envisioned they would not only still be in college basketball, but would be roommates, calling Albuquerque home and being tasked with leading the University of New Mexico men’s basketball program out of what has grown into the longest postseason NCAA or NIT drought (five seasons) since Bob King became the coach in 1962.

“I’m just blessed,” says Bragg, the 6-foot-10 former McDonald’s All American who played two seasons at Kansas before troubles off the court led to his departure. “All I’ve got to say is thank God for making me be here on this journey. It’s been a good journey, but it’s not finished yet. We’re just getting started.”

He and Lyle, a 6-5 guard who transferred from Ohio State two years ago and missed last season due to a torn Achilles, are unlikely leaders of a talented Lobos roster some feel may, at long last, get back into contention for a league title it last won in 2013.

Their season starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Dreamstyle Arena – the Pit against NCAA Division II Eastern New Mexico.

“Pressure is a word that, in my household, we never used because we don’t believe in it,” said Lyle. “We just know we have to come out and produce every day. … The only people that can stop us is us at this point.”

Stopping themselves is something it appeared Bragg and Lyle already did at their last stops. For Bragg, there was also a brief stop at Arizona State that didn’t work out, leading him to UNM. For Lyle, there was also his association as a high school recruit with the now infamous recruiting/escort scandal at Louisville before ultimately attending Ohio State.

As the world of college athletics goes, the players were forced to carry the tag of misfits. Meanwhile, Kansas and Louisville, despite both being hit with major NCAA infractions, continue on as blue blood programs currently ranked No. 3 and No. 5 in the nation, respectively.

Weir says both have earned their place at UNM.

“These two guys are clearly our guys,” Weir said. “The players know that. I know that. Now it’s going to be a question of are they going to be able to do that maturely and positively throughout the entire season. I’m hopeful they can.”

Bragg says the birth of his son a couple years ago was a major turning point in his own maturity. For Lyle, being away from the game two years – one due to NCAA transfer rules and another due to injury – gave him new perspective.

“That’s something that me and him have talked about,” Weir said. “As crazy as it sounds, he had that (extra) year to sit out, but maybe that’s the blessing of what last year was – one more year to continue to grow up, put all this in perspective and grow as a young man into the leader that he is right now. And right now, he’s terrific.”

With their well-documented pasts behind them, both still have long-term goals of playing professional basketball at the highest level. But they have other plans first.

“Just being the best leader I can, on and off the court, a whole season,” Lyle said. “A lot of people question my leadership. I have to work on that every day.”

Added Bragg, success is theirs for the taking, as long as they don’t veer from the course they’re now on and “keep working hard and keep taking that step every day, and there’s no stopping us. I truly believe that.”

Home » Sports » College » Men's basketball » Lyle, Bragg follow unexpected path to Lobo leadership

Insert Question Legislature form in Legis only stories




Albuquerque Journal and its reporters are committed to telling the stories of our community.

• Do you have a question you want someone to try to answer for you? Do you have a bright spot you want to share?
   We want to hear from you. Please email yourstory@abqjournal.com

taboola desktop

ABQjournal can get you answers in all pages

 

Questions about the Legislature?
Albuquerque Journal can get you answers
Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners.
1
Same song, second verse: Lobo golfer Watkins is contending ...
ABQnews Seeker
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. –– The New Mexico ... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. –– The New Mexico men's golf team shot 16-over during the second round of the 2023 NCAA Championship on Saturday at Grayhawk ...
2
NCAA men's golf championship: Lobo Watkins is contending, but ...
ABQnews Seeker
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. –– The New Mexico ... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. –– The New Mexico men's golf team opened play at the 2023 NCAA Championship on Friday with the first round at Grayhawk ...
3
Track and field: Lobos hope to be at their ...
ABQnews Seeker
A group of 24 UNM athletes ... A group of 24 UNM athletes earned a total of 28 qualifying marks across 16 events at the upcoming regional championship, which determines the ...
4
Cleveland alum and softball ace Alarcon transferring from UTEP ...
College
Rio Rancho native and Cleveland High ... Rio Rancho native and Cleveland High graduate Aalijah Alarcon is transferring from UTEP to play softball at the University of New Mexico. 'It's time ...
5
DA's office: No charges to be filed against NMSU ...
ABQnews Seeker
No charges will be filed against ... No charges will be filed against any current or former New Mexico State University basketball players or administrators in connection with a deadly shooting ...
6
Lobo women's valiant effort to reach NCAA match play ...
ABQnews Seeker
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – A ... SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – A strong finish made a statement – University of New Mexico wome ...
7
Football: A 'Prime cut' has agreed to beef up ...
ABQnews Seeker
Gray marks the Lobos' first addition ... Gray marks the Lobos' first addition since nine players transferred out during the spring portal window.
8
Lobo basketball adds versatile graduate transfer forward for coming ...
ABQnews Seeker
Two time All-Southland Conference player Isaac ... Two time All-Southland Conference player Isaac Mushila has transferred to UNM, adding to a strong Lobo basketball recruiting class.
9
Former Lobo Hullaby found dead, family says
ABQnews Seeker
Hullaby, 21, was first reported missing ... Hullaby, 21, was first reported missing by family over the weekend. A cause of death has not been reported, and it is not yet ...