By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Eaglestaff missed the second half of his senior season, and was unable to showcase his full potential as the clock was ticking on his college recruitment. 

Eaglestaff’s Division I college basketball aspirations, however, never wavered. He received interest from Division II and junior college programs, but stayed patient for a Division I opportunity. 

Eaglestaff’s patience paid off, and he recently committed to play at Division I University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

“It’s a dream come true,” Eaglestaff said. “I’ve been doing what I’ve always wanted to do since I was a little kid, and it’s just a great experience to finally get to be here. I couldn’t be more than grateful.”

Eaglestaff, who will be a walk-on for the Roos, landed on UMKC’s radar through the coaching staff’s connections with J Sizzles coach Larry Suggs, Jalen’s father. 

Eaglestaff was a member of 2023 17U J Sizzles team that won the Tip of the Hat Championship in Las Vegas. Eaglestaff also played at tournaments in Alabama, Texas and South Carolina with J Sizzles this past summer.

J Sizzles plays on the Adidas 3SSB, which is one of the premier AAU basketball circuits in the country.

Suggs’ connections with UMKC paid off for Eaglestaff, who jumped at the long-awaited Division I opportunity. 

“I was hanging out at my girlfriend’s house and I got the call,” Eaglestaff said. “I was so excited to hear that UMKC was going to accept me. It was a big deal for me when they called me and when (UMKC assistant coach Joe Esposito) called me. It was pretty cool.”

It was also a special moment for the Eaglestaff family.

“It’s kind of unbelievable,” said Lance Eaglestaff, who is Teysean’s father. “My wife (Kate) and I are pretty grateful. It was pretty amazing to follow his dream. Because he’s been saying he wants to play Division I since he was in Kindergarten. There’s nothing more exciting than hearing a team wants your kid to come down there, and be part of a Division I program.”

Teysean is currently enrolled at UMKC, and is participating in pre-season workouts. A bouncy 6-foot-7 guard/forward, Eaglestaff will redshirt for the Roos this season. 

But it's a move he said will benefit him in the future. 

“I feel that I will be more prepared,” Eaglestaff said. “I will be in better physical shape. I will also know the plays more, and get a hang of the system.”

Teysean, however, won’t be the only family member to play college basketball this season. Lance’s oldest son, Treysen Eaglestaff, will be a junior guard/forward at the University of North Dakota. Treysen was the 2022 North Dakota Mr. Basketball for Bismarck High School. 

The Roos and Fighting Hawks both play in the Summit League, setting up a potential Eaglestaff vs. Eaglestaff scenario down the road. 

“It would be like a fairytale type of deal, seeing both of your kids playing in a Division I game against each other,” Lance said. “To have your kids play at this level is kind of unreal.” 

While they might be conference competitors, Teysean will still lean on his big brother during his college transition. 

“If I am ever struggling because that’s my first year, I can call my brother Treysen and ask him for advice,” Teysean said. “Because he’s been in college longer than me, and it’s pretty cool. It is rare. You don’t see many brothers in the Summit League playing and competing, both enrolled in the same tribe.”

And Teysean hopes it leads to more Native American players achieving their college basketball dreams. 

“I am very grateful for the opportunities to play Division I,” Teysean said. “Because it’s going to open more doors for Natives and see that we belong and that we can go to college and compete at the highest level possible.”