Oklahoma State University Athletics
Coming into his own – Isaac Becroft
April 02, 2024 | Cowboy Tennis
Isaac Becroft is off to one of the best starts in Cowboy tennis history.
He started 13-0 this year in singles action, the best start to a season since Lucas Gerch in 2014. While he is at the forefront of success, it has not come without adversity and many lessons.
Before making Stillwater home, Becroft started his college career at Mississippi State, where he had a winning record in both singles and doubles. Looking for a change of scenery, he transferred to Loyola Marymount, but did not compete.
Still not getting exactly what he was hoping for, Becroft decided to hit the transfer portal one last time in hopes of finding his new home.
"I knew I couldn't take another risk with a program, so I had to go where I felt the coach would be the best and I would enjoy it the most," Becroft said. "I've hit the jackpot here [at Oklahoma State] with DT [Dustin Taylor]."
Since becoming a Cowboy, Becroft has blossomed into an exceptional player. In 2023, his first season in competition with the Pokes, he tallied 12 wins in singles, the second-most on the team. With a majority of his wins on courts two and three, he earned Big 12 Newcomer of the year honors.
Becroft credited his early success at Oklahoma State to former Cowboy, Luke Hammond, who served as a mentor in his first year.
"Just a real good bloke, he helped me out a ton," Becroft said. "The guy was a legend and I try to replicate some of the stuff he did for me because I think that's important for every team."
Fast forward to today, Becroft now has experience with three different collegiate programs, along with international experience and playing tournaments in multiple different countries in juniors.
With an abundance of collegiate experience, he now acts as a mentor to his younger teammates.
"It doesn't feel like that long ago, honestly, I was in their shoes," Becroft said. "I try to lead the way for those younger guys because there's nothing that you can replicate like college tennis. Whether you think you're ready for it or you don't think you're ready for it, no one ever really is."
Becroft, an avid surfer and rugby player, has taken valuable skills from the waves and the pitch, and applied them to the tennis court. He compares the team aspect of rugby to college tennis. Working together and getting the best out of your teammates is a must.
Growing up, Becroft was an avid surfer and the ocean has helped him more than just in between the white lines.
"As you walk out into the waves, you forget about everything else," Becroft said. "It has provided some good balance in my life."
Becroft's success goes far beyond singles play. He and his doubles partner, Alessio Basile, have found a good balance on and off the court. The Becroft and Basile duo are 11-6 in doubles, leading the team in wins.
"It's just a direct byproduct of us getting along super well off the court," Becroft said. "The guy is a dog. I know that every time that coin flips, he is going to be ready."
All of OSU's team losses have come in pairs, but each time, the Pokes bounced back and responded by going on multiple-match winning streaks.
"It's not easy to get over a loss, but as much as we can, we try to draw on the positives," Becroft said. "If you are not going to trust the process and what you're doing every day, then you are toast."
No matter the result, Becroft has remained a constant positive in the lineup.
"If I win and the team loses, it seems irrelevant," Becroft said. "I look at it as a loss. It is all about the team."
As the regular season wraps up, Becroft and company look to continue their success into the postseason. With Stillwater being the host site to the 2024 Big 12 and NCAA Championships, the Cowboys are hoping to use home-court to their advantage to fuel deep postseason runs.
He started 13-0 this year in singles action, the best start to a season since Lucas Gerch in 2014. While he is at the forefront of success, it has not come without adversity and many lessons.
Before making Stillwater home, Becroft started his college career at Mississippi State, where he had a winning record in both singles and doubles. Looking for a change of scenery, he transferred to Loyola Marymount, but did not compete.
Still not getting exactly what he was hoping for, Becroft decided to hit the transfer portal one last time in hopes of finding his new home.
"I knew I couldn't take another risk with a program, so I had to go where I felt the coach would be the best and I would enjoy it the most," Becroft said. "I've hit the jackpot here [at Oklahoma State] with DT [Dustin Taylor]."
Since becoming a Cowboy, Becroft has blossomed into an exceptional player. In 2023, his first season in competition with the Pokes, he tallied 12 wins in singles, the second-most on the team. With a majority of his wins on courts two and three, he earned Big 12 Newcomer of the year honors.
Becroft credited his early success at Oklahoma State to former Cowboy, Luke Hammond, who served as a mentor in his first year.
"Just a real good bloke, he helped me out a ton," Becroft said. "The guy was a legend and I try to replicate some of the stuff he did for me because I think that's important for every team."
Fast forward to today, Becroft now has experience with three different collegiate programs, along with international experience and playing tournaments in multiple different countries in juniors.
With an abundance of collegiate experience, he now acts as a mentor to his younger teammates.
"It doesn't feel like that long ago, honestly, I was in their shoes," Becroft said. "I try to lead the way for those younger guys because there's nothing that you can replicate like college tennis. Whether you think you're ready for it or you don't think you're ready for it, no one ever really is."
Becroft, an avid surfer and rugby player, has taken valuable skills from the waves and the pitch, and applied them to the tennis court. He compares the team aspect of rugby to college tennis. Working together and getting the best out of your teammates is a must.
Growing up, Becroft was an avid surfer and the ocean has helped him more than just in between the white lines.
"As you walk out into the waves, you forget about everything else," Becroft said. "It has provided some good balance in my life."
Becroft's success goes far beyond singles play. He and his doubles partner, Alessio Basile, have found a good balance on and off the court. The Becroft and Basile duo are 11-6 in doubles, leading the team in wins.
"It's just a direct byproduct of us getting along super well off the court," Becroft said. "The guy is a dog. I know that every time that coin flips, he is going to be ready."
All of OSU's team losses have come in pairs, but each time, the Pokes bounced back and responded by going on multiple-match winning streaks.
"It's not easy to get over a loss, but as much as we can, we try to draw on the positives," Becroft said. "If you are not going to trust the process and what you're doing every day, then you are toast."
No matter the result, Becroft has remained a constant positive in the lineup.
"If I win and the team loses, it seems irrelevant," Becroft said. "I look at it as a loss. It is all about the team."
As the regular season wraps up, Becroft and company look to continue their success into the postseason. With Stillwater being the host site to the 2024 Big 12 and NCAA Championships, the Cowboys are hoping to use home-court to their advantage to fuel deep postseason runs.
Players Mentioned
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