#5 Corey Heyward

Career Notes

Former all-state guard from Georgia who played four solid seasons for the Yellow Jackets … Coaches like his character, toughness and competitiveness … Sat out the 2012-13 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in late June, had surgery in July … Re-injured the knee and underwent a second surgery on Dec. 13, 2012 … Went on to play both guard positions in a starting and reserve role in his four seasons, full regaining his quickness and jumping ability over his last two seasons … Made 42 career starts at Tech … Wore No. 30 as a freshman and a senior, No. 5 during his sophomore and junior years … A 2011 all-state guard from Peachtree Ridge High School who signed with Morehead (Ky.) State out of high school, but elected to spend the 2011-12 academic year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. … Named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2013 … Graduated in May, 2017 with his bachelor’s degree in business administration.

2016-17 – Game-by-Game Statistics

Combo guard who averaged 16.8 minutes (20.0 in the NIT) after playing a total of 33 minutes in eight games in 2015-16 … Solid defender and the strongest player on the team … Started 24 games, including 17 of Tech’s final 18 games … After starting seven games early in the season, returned to the lineup for Tech’s last 12 regular season games and Tech’s five NIT games … Excellent, tough defender who often guards the opponent’s top perimeter scorer … Played excellent defense in back-to-back games against Notre Dame’s Steve Vasturia (5 points, 1-7 FG) and Clemson’s Jaron Blossomgame (10 points, 3-7 FG) … Committed just five turnovers in 290 minutes over Tech’s last 17 games, 28 rebounds, 16 assists and 10 steals … Scored five points with a career-high six rebounds in 22 minutes vs. FSU … Notched his first career double-figure scoring game (10 points) while dishing three assists and grabbing five rebounds in 34 minutes against Sam Houston State … Hit 10-of-33 threes, and averaged 1.9 points … One of his threes was a three-quarter court heave at the halftime buzzer at VCU, putting Tech up by eight at the half in a game the Jackets won by three in overtime

2015-16 – Game-by-Game Statistics

Played in eight games, limited minutes during the season … One of four Tech players to average double figures on the team’s August trip to the Bahamas (10.0 ppg) … Shot 63.2 percent (12-of-19) from the floor, hitting 3-of-7 from three-point range … Also had 12 assists with five turnovers.

2014-15 – Game-by-Game Statistics

Reserve combo guard who played in just four non-conference games, but saw significant action in 14 ACC games (DNP vs. Duke, FSU) – 12.3 minutes per game, three starts – and played 23 minutes in the ACC Tournament loss to Boston College … Saw his first ACC action of the season at Wake Forest Jan. 10 (6 minutes, 1-3 FG, 1 assist) and started Tech’s next three games against Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Virginia … Did not score much (1.3 ppg), but had 10 assists and six turnovers over that stretch and played solid defense on the perimeter … Had team’s lowest turnover rate at 1.2 per 40 minutes.

2013-14 – Game-by-Game Statistics

Point guard who began taking on a larger role in the Notre Dame game on 1/11, first off the bench, then as a starter, providing good defense and some key playmaking … Started 14 of Tech’s last 15 games, averaging 1.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game … Also had 31 assists and 18 turnovers in that span … Had a 34/17 assist/turnover ratio in ACC regular-season games (45/26 for the season), and was 5-of-9 on 3s … Zero turnovers in seven of his 15 ACC starts … Scored career-high six points (two 3s, 2-4 FG) and matched his career-best of five assists in Tech’s 2/13 win over Boston College … Had five assists and no turnovers in 32 minutes at Clemson … Beginning with Notre Dame on 1/11, averaged 13 over the next three games before joining the starting lineup at BC on 1/21 … Played 12 important minutes against the Irish with two assists, no turnovers and four rebounds as Trae Golden was in late foul trouble … Hit his first three of the season, recorded two assists and played solid defense against ACC scoring leader Olivier Hanlan in Tech’s win at Boston College on 1/21 … Played in all but one game (DNP vs. Dayton) and made one other start against East Tennessee State … Began getting more court time after Travis Jorgenson went down with a knee injury Nov. 20, including 21 minutes against East Tennessee State and 10 against Kennesaw State … Scored his first collegiate field goal against Mississippi Valley State (11/26).

High School

First-team all-state in class AAAAA by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2011, and also was named Region 7 Player of the Year, following a 2010-11 season in which he averaged 16.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game for Peachtree Ridge High School … The Lions finished the season as regional runners-up with a season record of 21-9 … At Hargrave, he averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, helping the Tigers to a 38-1 record and the championship game of the national prep school championship … Member of the National Honor Society, which he says is his most memorable non-athletic achievement.

Personal

Full name is Corey William Heyward … Born August 29, 1993 in Pittsburgh, Pa. … Son of Craig and Charlotte Heyward … Father was the former NFL and University of Pittsburgh running back known as “Ironhead” who passed away in 2006 … Has a brother, Cameron, who starred in football at Ohio State and now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers … Two younger siblings, Meagan and Connor … Says he took basketball as his main sport around age 11, watching his older brother play organized basketball … Graduated in May, 2017 with his bachelor’s degree in business administration.