Trey Townsend was a kid who always dreamed of wearing black and gold — a dream that has blossomed into reality.
For Townsend, basketball was in his blood, and from a young age, he had been mentored by none other than Greg Kampe, the legendary head coach of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies. Their connection runs deep and is rooted in a shared love for the game and a mutual desire for greatness. Trey Townsend, the Horizon League Player of the Year, MVP and champion has made such an impact on the program, earning him the iconic title “Mr. Oakland.”
“It’s such a special thing,” Townsend said. “I’ve always just wanted to be a part of the team. I never could have written a story that went the way that it did and to be able to have such an impact, and hopefully a long-lasting one. I’m happy and thankful that people have given me that title. Kampe will always be Mr. Oakland to me, but if people want to call me that, I’ll take it. It’s a good compliment.”
It is Townsend’s senior year, and he helped secure the team’s ticket to the NCAA Tournament. In a pivotal game, Townsend put on a show. With the weight of his team’s hopes and dreams resting on his shoulders, he rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion and scored a career-high 38 points in their victory.
But it wasn’t just the win that made Townsend’s performance so memorable — it was the way he carried himself on the court with humility and grace. As he stood on the court that night, surrounded by his parents, OU students and staff, he knew he was living out a dream that had always been in the making.
Now, as the Golden Grizzlies prepare to embark on their journey to the NCAA Tournament, Townsend emphasizes their team’s goal of consistency.
“I want to stay consistent with everything,” he said. “I know that’s the thing that our team is trying to be focused on. It’s a big game. It’s a tournament game. I think the important thing is to just do what got you to this point, and just stay consistent. You don’t want to get too high or get too low.”
Acknowledging the camaraderie among teammates, Townsend underscores just how bonded they all are, a factor that has translated into success on the court.
“We’ve been such a close group of guys off the court. Not everyone sees that because they only see us, you know, obviously playing out here on the court. They don’t know personality-wise who we are, but if you’re on the bus ride back with us or been on these road trips, we have a speaker playing, having concerts, and just having such a blast, and I think as time has gone on, everyone’s getting more comfortable with each other. We’re all just jelling at the right time.”
They have embraced a unified mentality that is just so powerful and as they take the grand stage, they will have the support of coaches and the entire Oakland University community behind them.
