Oklahoma State University Athletics
Mom Knows Best When It Comes To Hammonds' Education
February 12, 2016 | Cowboy Basketball
Leyton Hammonds hasn't forgotten he is a student athlete.
His mom, a college professor in the Dallas area, wouldn't let him forget it and neither would he.
"It was a priority in our household for (Leyton and his brother) to excel academically," Lisa Hammonds said.
Leyton, a junior, is taking 18 hours this semester while also starting for the Cowboys. Although this is only his third year in Stillwater, Hammonds is expected to graduate with a business degree later this year.
For the average college student 18 hours can be tough. For a college athlete dealing with practice, workouts, film sessions, games and traveling it can almost be impossible.
Leyton said it's simple, though. It's all about what you put into your time in the classroom.
"From day one you've got to be focused," he said. "Set yourself a goal. What do you want to do in four or five years while you're here? What legacy do you want to leave? Do you want to be a guy who slept through all the classes and just got by or do you want to go get your degree? I'm going to go get my degree and be successful on the court."
Leyton said success on the court is important, but success off the court is as important for him for his years after Oklahoma State.
"I need to have my education to have something to fall back on."
While Leyton is finding success off the court, he has also been finding it on as well.
He has finished with double-figure scoring the past five games to help replace the loss of scoring with Jawun Evans sidelined due to a right-shoulder injury.
Leyton also finished with his first career double-double on Feb. 3 against Texas Tech, and has shot 50 percent from the field during the stretch.
Although it has been an impressive stretch and the double-double gave him plenty of confidence, Hammonds said he couldn't take all the credit.
"The main thing I was working on this summer was my rebounds," he said. "It's good to see I can get a double-double. My teammates are looking for me and I love that. I give them all the credit. They're finding me in open spots. I give them all the credit. Like I said, it gives me confidence."
Not only is he scoring in bunches, but he's also scoring early. In a quality conference such as the Big 12, fast starts are always needed.
Leyton said he doesn't do anything special to find his rhythm early; it's all about getting in the gym early and taking as many shots as he can.
"Outside of the game I'm just coming in and putting up shots," he said. "It helps me get locked in so when the lights come on I'm ready to go from the start instead of trying to work my way back in. I'm ready to go when the game starts."
Leyton and the Cowboys return to action on Saturday against Kansas State in Gallagher-Iba Arena at noon.
His mom, a college professor in the Dallas area, wouldn't let him forget it and neither would he.
"It was a priority in our household for (Leyton and his brother) to excel academically," Lisa Hammonds said.
Leyton, a junior, is taking 18 hours this semester while also starting for the Cowboys. Although this is only his third year in Stillwater, Hammonds is expected to graduate with a business degree later this year.
For the average college student 18 hours can be tough. For a college athlete dealing with practice, workouts, film sessions, games and traveling it can almost be impossible.
Leyton said it's simple, though. It's all about what you put into your time in the classroom.
"From day one you've got to be focused," he said. "Set yourself a goal. What do you want to do in four or five years while you're here? What legacy do you want to leave? Do you want to be a guy who slept through all the classes and just got by or do you want to go get your degree? I'm going to go get my degree and be successful on the court."
Leyton said success on the court is important, but success off the court is as important for him for his years after Oklahoma State.
"I need to have my education to have something to fall back on."
While Leyton is finding success off the court, he has also been finding it on as well.
He has finished with double-figure scoring the past five games to help replace the loss of scoring with Jawun Evans sidelined due to a right-shoulder injury.
Leyton also finished with his first career double-double on Feb. 3 against Texas Tech, and has shot 50 percent from the field during the stretch.
Although it has been an impressive stretch and the double-double gave him plenty of confidence, Hammonds said he couldn't take all the credit.
"The main thing I was working on this summer was my rebounds," he said. "It's good to see I can get a double-double. My teammates are looking for me and I love that. I give them all the credit. They're finding me in open spots. I give them all the credit. Like I said, it gives me confidence."
Not only is he scoring in bunches, but he's also scoring early. In a quality conference such as the Big 12, fast starts are always needed.
Leyton said he doesn't do anything special to find his rhythm early; it's all about getting in the gym early and taking as many shots as he can.
"Outside of the game I'm just coming in and putting up shots," he said. "It helps me get locked in so when the lights come on I'm ready to go from the start instead of trying to work my way back in. I'm ready to go when the game starts."
Leyton and the Cowboys return to action on Saturday against Kansas State in Gallagher-Iba Arena at noon.
Players Mentioned
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