Tyson Degenhart: Boise State’s Mr. Bronco
Jordan Beasley
As you reflect on the deep history of Boise State men’s basketball, spanning four different conferences in 55 years, which notable players come to mind? From Murray Satterfield—the program’s first head coach when it became a four-year institution—to Leon Rice—the team’s current head man—the list of notable names is impressive.
Go back 3-4 decades and ask yourself, “Where would the program be without Tanoka Beard, Roberto Bergersen, Chris Childs or Abe Jackson, to name a few?” If your Broncos fandom is more recent, then certainly Anthony Drmic, Chandler Hutchison, Justinian Jessup and Derrick Marks all ring a bell.
Though an extensive list of impressive names, resumes and careers, what if none of the aforementioned players are the greatest to don the Blue and Orange? What would you say if the most accomplished Bronco is someone from Boise State’s most recent team?
When engaging in sports debates and deciphering what makes a player “great,” contributions on the playing surface is at the forefront of the conversation, and rightfully so. However, your character, how you treat people, and who you are as a person should also matter, right?
Whether you subscribe to that philosophy or think it’s hot garbage, the Bronco who arguably stands above the rest exhibits those qualities. It’s not because he’s grandstanding or playing a role. That’s just who he is, his makeup and how he was raised.
Tyson Degenhart is a name that resonates with the most diehard Boise State supporters, all the way down to the casual fan. If you live in Treasure Valley or have followed from afar, the name is familiar.
The person, student and player are the three reasons why you can make a strong argument that Degenhart is the standard for Boise State men’s basketball and should be referred to as Mr. Bronco.
If you’re still skeptical, maybe this changes your mind.
Tyson Degenhart the Person:
Defining what it means to be a “good person” often elicits different responses and interpretations based on who’s providing the definition. At a minimum, most people can settle for integrity, kindness and respect as the baseline for a quality human.
There’s a finite number of people who are universally beloved and well respected by everyone they meet and come in contact with. If you survey folks who have interacted or spent time with Degenhart, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who will say a bad word or have negative feelings.
Your status, title or influence doesn’t matter at all to Tyson. Whether you’re a coach, teammate, support staff, student manager, academic advisor or fan, Degenhart’s respect and professionalism toward you is why he’s in a class of his own.
“Tyson is not only a generational player but a generational human,” said Matty Richardson, who serves as the associate athletic trainer for men’s basketball. “He is someone you can't appreciate enough because of who he is and how he treats others. He exudes a level of care and kindness that you simply can’t take for granted.”
Having served as an athletic trainer for 16 years, a core part of Richardson’s job is dealing with players who are rehabbing or working through injury, which doesn’t always yield instant gratification. Dealing with a frustrated athlete is no easy task, but Degenhart is a different breed, as evidence of his buy-in, endless hours, maximum effort, hard work and respect.
If that first-hand account from someone who plays a crucial role doesn’t perfectly illustrate the type of person Tyson is, maybe this paints a clearer picture.
To say a student-athlete like Tyson is rare would be a massive understatement. Tyson is truly 1 of 1. How he handles his responsibilities as a student, an athlete, a teammate, community member and ambassador of Boise State University is unique to Tyson. Not only has he cemented his legacy as the greatest Bronco of all time, but he has elevated Boise State men's basketball program to national prominence.Tyler Whitmer, Assistant Athletic Director, Sports Performance, Health and Wellness for Olympic Sports Performance
One of the thankless—yet crucial—roles in an athletic program are the student managers. Rarely recognized and adequately thanked for their work and contributions, they’re tasked with serving the team in many facets.
As one would guess, Degenhart showed just how much he appreciates, respects and values the managers’ tireless work. Leading into Christmas 2024, Tyson took it upon himself to gift each manager a gift card as a thank you.
“[Tyson] epitomizes everything you want in a student-athlete,” Jacob Thompson, one of the student managers, said. “He’s down to earth, humble, kind, determined and a natural leader. On and off the court, he exemplifies what this university is all about. He kills it in the classroom and on the court, and he’s everything you want in a college athlete.”
Similar sentiments exist from many people who’ve worked with or encountered Tyson Degenhart. The basketball talent is undeniable, but it’s the maturity and intangible attributes that catches everyone’s attention.
“From the time I met Tyson, all the way to now, how special a human he is has been proven through consistency and in action again and again and again,” said deputy athletic director and men’s basketball sport administrator Cody Gougler. “I’m most impressed by who Tyson is as a person—his character, consistency, professionalism and how he treats people. That’s who he was when he arrived at Boise State, and I’m shocked and in awe of how amazing of a person Tyson is.”
The compliments and adulation come in abundance and are well-deserved. Fortunately for Degenhart, that’s only one layer of what makes him 1 of 1.
Tyson Degenhart the Academic Scholar:
Lost in the equation of college athletics is that every competing athlete is a current student. Attending class, completing assignments and fulfilling academic requirements comes with it.
With recent developments in NIL, endorsements and sponsorships, being a student and excelling in the classroom is secondary and an afterthought at times. The goal, for some, is to play well, enhance the athletic profile, maximize value and get compensated.
While that strategy works for some, it simply isn’t who Degenhart is. Equally applying himself and investing in the classroom is of the utmost importance.
“Tyson has consistently gone above and beyond to succeed inside and outside the classroom,” said Chris Nichol, assistant athletic director, academic services. “Tyson is a special student-athlete that not only says he cares about his academics, but backs it up with action and results. The intangible qualities of Tyson place him among the top athletes to walk through our doors at Boise State.”
A finance major expected to graduate tomorrow, Degenhart sports a cumulative grade point average (GPA) over 3.9. The accolades he’s received from his work in the classroom are on par with his decorated on-court career.
Degenhart is a three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection, earning the honor in each of his final three years at Boise State. Additionally, he’s been named a CSC Academic All-American on two occasions. He was selected to the first team in 2024 and second team in 2025.
“Tyson's commitment to academics and leadership makes him an invaluable asset to everyone in our department and university,” Nichol said. “He built great relationships with his instructors and it was always evident in the progress reports that Tyson made them feel that their class was important to him and he was engaged in classroom discussion.”
In addition to his work in the classroom, Degenhart was a four-year contributing member to Boise State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where he’s served as an executive. Comprised of 18 sport programs and 34 representatives, SAAC is designed to promote student-athlete well-being, provide leadership opportunities and foster a positive student-athlete experience.
Degenhart’s on-campus participation and care for those in similar positions is yet another glaring example of who he is.
“Tyson's efforts toward thinking through what he can do and communicating what he can't are notable,” said director, student-athlete development Kelli Bell Nooney. “His intent—no matter if it’s in the classroom, a SAAC meeting, or on the court—is to always show up prepared and be present. I think that endears him to whomever has the pleasure of working with him.”
If you spend just a moment around Degenhart, his exemplary character, stellar reputation and performance in the classroom is no surprise. Now, how about Tyson the player?
Tyson Degenhart, Boise State's All-Time Leading Scorer:
Where do you start when describing Tyson Degenhart, the player? Is it awards/accolades? Statistical numbers? Unwavering consistency? Truth be told, it’s all synonymous, and you can’t talk about one without referencing the others.
Degenhart’s resume is eye-popping, and quite frankly, it speaks for itself. Of all the things Tyson accomplished in his four collegiate seasons, being Boise State’s all-time leading scorer stands above the rest.
Entering his senior campaign, Degenhart had 1,361 career points. He needed 584 more—a single-season total he hadn’t reached—to surpass Beard as Boise State’s most prolific scorer.
In typical Tyson fashion, he couldn’t care less about the scoring record, a sentiment he shared on multiple occasions when asked by media who were tracking the milestone. Just as selfless on the court as he is off it, the attention, glitz, glamour, pomp and circumstance and recognition never mattered. Degenhart just wanted to win.
Not only did Tyson lead the 2024-25 Broncos to 26 victories (one shy of tying the program’s record for a single season), but he cemented his name in the Boise State record book. Scoring a single-season school-record 676 points in his final hoorah, Degenhart surpassed Beard in the conference tournament.
Degenhart passed Beard and finished his career with nearly 100 more points. He is Boise State’s first 2,000-point scorer and has 2,037, 93 more than next great.
Top 5 All-Time Leading Scorers — Boise State Men’s Basketball | ||
Name | Years | Points |
Tyson Degenhart | 2021-25 | 2,037 |
Tanoka Beard | 1989-93 | 1,944 |
Anthony Drmic | 2011-16 | 1,942 |
Steve Connor | 1974-78 | 1,927 |
Derrick Marks | 2011-15 | 1,912 |
The play that rewrote the record books ??
— Boise State MBB (@BroncoSportsMBB) March 15, 2025
?? @CBSSportsNet#BleedBlue x #UnbreakableCulture https://t.co/edzD2FH2hk pic.twitter.com/QicvJxRyRI
While alone at the top of the points leaderboard, that doesn’t scratch the surface of what Degenhart accomplished. Below is snapshot of Tyson’s most notable accolades:
- 99 victories (reg. + postseason) in four years
- Eighth on the Mountain West’s all-time scoring list (2,037)
- 1-of-3 players in MW history with at least 2,000 points and 700 rebounds
- 109 double-digit scoring games (most in program history)
- 33 career 20-point games
- Three-time All-Mountain West First-Team selection
- Multi-time MW Player of the Week
- 2021-22 Mountain West Freshman of the Year
- Nine-time Mountain West Freshman of the Week
Appearing in 138 games (132 starts), Degenhart averaged 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 51.8% from the field. He started every game from his sophomore to senior year, notched two 500-point seasons and is 1-of-2 Mountain West players in conference history to shoot 50% or higher in all four years (min. 200 attempts each year).
Averaging nearly double figures in all four seasons, it’s fair to ask why didn’t Degenhart consider leaving for a bigger a school, a bigger conference and potentially more visibility? In the current landscape where pay-for-play, freedom of movement and securing the “bag” is prevalent, Tyson punted on those opportunities and stayed where he was happy and at peace.
“Tyson owns specific skills, traits and a certain level of wisdom that other athletes and people, including adults, don’t have at an early age,” Gougler said. “He realized Boise State was a special place where he could have a high impact and leave an indelible legacy. The life he was living as a Bronco was enough, and very similar to [Raiders RB] Ashton [Jeanty], he chose the culture, experience and legacy over currency.”
Boise State Men's Basketball Mr. Bronco:
With what we know about Degenhart, it’s fair to ask the question, “Where does Tyson stand among the greats who’ve stepped on the hardwood as a Boise State Bronco?” The best people to ask are those who once stood in Degenhart’s shoes.
“At the top, No. 1,” said Bergersen, a current Broncos assistant coach, when asked where he’d rank Degenhart. “In my opinion, it’s undisputed. I’ve shared a lot of moments with other guys who are considered Boise State greats, but Tyson is at the top.”
Bergersen, one of the all-time greats, played three seasons at Boise State, scored 1,485 career points and ranks 10th on the all-time scoring list. Averaging 24.5 and 25.4 points in the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons, respectively, Bergersen coached Degenhart for three years and has a great understanding of the duty and responsibility that was on his shoulders.
Jackson, another Bronco great, has served as the radio color analyst for men’s basketball broadcasts for 17 years alongside his partner, Bob Behler. The program’s seventh-leading scorer with 1,660 career points, Jackson had a front-row seat for every game Tyson played.
Uniquely qualified to describe the term “Mr. Bronco,” Jackson had the perfect response.
“[Mr. Bronco is] someone who was really successful on the court, but also someone who people want to be around off the court,” said Jackson. “Always representing the program and university in a professional way, Tyson has affected people's lives with what he does on the court, but also how he interacts with people off the court. That’s what "Mr. Bronco" is—being remembered for more than what you did on the court.”
With an enormous void to fill, how does Boise State replace Tyson Degenhart? The short answer is, you don’t.
“It’s going to be impossible to find another human being that’s Tyson,” Bergersen said with a reflective look on his face. “[A Tyson Degenhart] doesn’t come around often. I highly doubt we’ll ever have someone as talented as he is, as caring as he is, as genuine as he is, and as loyal as he is. I highly doubt that exists in the current climate.”
NIL and the transfer portal make it challenging, but it would be a tall task without the new prevailing landscape.
“Even if NIL wasn't a thing, I’m not sure we’ll ever see another Tyson Degenhart,” said Jackson. “There will be good players, and there will be players who are great off the court, as well as in the classroom, but someone like Tyson who does all three...very rare.”
Showing up in Boise as a young kid from Spokane, Washington, Degenhart’s goal was to be one of the greats and to impact the program and community. As we’ve found out, there’s no need to question whether or not he conquered that goal.
Tyson Degenhart impacted it, inspired it and gave it everything he had.
Take a bow, Mr. Degenhart. You’ve fulfilled your duties as a student-athlete at Boise State University.
In the eyes of so many, you’re at the top of a decorated list.
Dare we say, you are Mr. Bronco.