Four years ago, Ty Van Essen was gearing up for a postseason run at Western Christian High School. Now, the senior from Sheldon finds himself on the brink of graduation, reflecting on a college career that, in his words, "has gone really quick."

Full Interview

"It's gone really fast," Van Essen said. "All the memories, all the hard work you put in — yeah, it does go by fast."

For Van Essen, Dordt was never just one option among many. It was home long before he ever put on a Defender uniform.

Both of his parents played basketball at Dordt. His siblings attended the university. His sister even served as a manager for the Defender women's basketball team. Family trips to Sioux Center meant sitting in the stands, watching Defender basketball and dreaming.

"My first memories are guys like Trevor Wolterstorff and Kyle Lindbergh," Van Essen recalled with a smile. "Trevor was always one of my favorite players. I remember getting a high-five from him after a game and just being so excited."

Now, years later, it's Van Essen handing out high-fives to young fans leaning over the railing.

"It's kind of cool," he admitted. "There are kids out there now."

Van Essen's path at Dordt wasn't built overnight. As a freshman, he logged significant junior varsity minutes — valuable experience that helped bridge the gap between high school and college basketball.

"I think game minutes are huge," he said. "It builds confidence. You learn the pace, the physicality, the types of shots you're getting. It really helps with that transition."

The adjustment wasn't small. At 6-foot-5, Van Essen often found himself playing the five spot — but he admits he arrived as a "skinnier kid" who needed to add strength to compete inside.

"I had to get bigger," he said. "For rebounding, for physicality. And my shooting had to improve. Defense too — just quickness and all of it."

Each year, his role evolved. From JV contributor and  varsity reserve, from energy off the bench to dependable presence in the rotation, Van Essen embraced whatever was asked.

"I've always had that mindset," he said. "Just excel in whatever role I'm given."

This season required another adjustment. Injuries reshaped the roster, and Van Essen suddenly found himself stepping into expanded responsibility, emerging as one of the team's top scoring options.

"When Jake (Hargens) went out, and Nick (Hanson) too, it was like, okay — it's time to step up," he said. "Whether that's shooting, rebounding, defense — this team needs me."

The season hasn't unfolded exactly as planned. Few ever do. But Van Essen points to the team's resilience as the defining characteristic.

"This team doesn't give up," he said. "We still come to practice ready to get after it. We treat every game like we're going to win it."

That perspective — steady, team-first, bigger than individual stats — has shaped who he's become.

It's also shaped by something deeper.

At five months old, Van Essen suffered a virus that resulted in significant hearing loss. He has worn hearing aids ever since. It's part of who he is, though he rarely brings attention to it.

"It's just kind of who I am," he said. "I played multiple sports in high school. That helped my confidence. And my family has always supported me. If anything's going wrong, I can go to them."

Teammates and classmates have largely respected it without much fanfare. And Van Essen has never allowed it to define or limit him.

Instead, it's become part of a foundation built on resilience, gratitude, and perspective.

Ask Van Essen how he's changed since high school, and he doesn't talk about muscle gains or shooting percentages.

"It's bigger than basketball," he said. "It's the relationships. The culture. The memories."

He still maintains relationships with seniors from his freshman year — players who mentored him when he was the wide-eyed newcomer trying to find his footing.

"You don't realize that when you come out of high school," he said. "It's bigger than the sport."

As a sport management major Van Essen hopes to stay in athletics, possibly in coaching. Inspired by mentors who shaped him as both a player and a person, he envisions himself as a players' coach.

"I want it to be player-led," he said. "Let the guys take ownership, like we've had here."

The specifics of life after graduation are still taking shape. But if the past four years are any indication, he'll approach the next chapter the same way he approached his college career: steady, adaptable, committed to the team around him.