Byrnes’ McDowell signs with Newberry

After a successful career at Byrnes, Kayzzin McDowell signed on April 17 to play college basketball at Newberry.

One of Byrnes basketball’s all-time great athletes officially signed to play college basketball on Wednesday.

Kayzzin McDowell—known with the Runnin’ Rebels for his three-point shooting ability and high-flying athleticism—signed to Newberry College with coaches, family and friends by his side.

McDowell said he fell in love with Newberry as soon as he stepped foot on campus.

“I love the family aspect there [at Newberry.] And they made it clear to me that they wanted me,” said McDowell. “In this day and age—and this is something my coaches and parents pointed out to me—if a college really wants you and makes that known, you should consider that.

“Newberry made it clear they wanted me from the start.”

Byrnes head coach Layne Fowler heaped praise on McDowell, who was one of four seniors from this year’s class.

“Kayzzin is a young man with high character. He’s got a lot of integrity. He’s the ultimate teammate in the way he likes to see his teammates do well,” said Fowler. “What I’ve loved about coaching him is that he always wanted to get better.

“He’s evolved and grown so much since he first came into this program. He’s one of the best shooters to ever come through this program. There was never a shot I saw him take that I didn’t think had a chance of going in.”

McDowell averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in his senior year for the Runnin’ Rebels. He shot over 35 percent from deep.

There were many memorable moments in McDowell’s career, perhaps none more memorable than his chase-down block in the dying moments of Byrnes’ 65-55 win over Mauldin in this year’s upper state championship.

But McDowell’s favorite memory at Byrnes, he said, was this year’s 73-49 win over Dorman—the Runnin’ Rebels’ first victory at Dorman in over 20 years.

“It had been a while since anyone put a real challenge to [Dorman],” said McDowell. “Even though I didn’t have my best game overall, winning that one with my teammates will stick with me forever.”

McDowell plans to major in Biology at Newberry and eventually become a veterinarian. Having grown up in a house with several pets—including a hermit crab, a snake and a Siberian husky—caring for animals has always been his passion.

As McDowell plans to say goodbye to high school and graduate next month, he says he’ll always look back on his time at Byrnes with a smile.

“It’s always been more than basketball here. I’ve built relationships with my coaches and teammates to where it’s an on and off the court thing. If I need something, I can always go to them,” said McDowell.

“The culture here is just different. That’s why I’ve loved it so much.”