San Antonio, Texas — Last June as Deon Lyle began making his presence felt in Shawnee, Oklahoma with the Potawatomi Fire, he spoke a lot about what he learned from playing internationally in Mexico, Armenia, Africa, the JBA circuit, and TBL and how his journey in professional basketball is about life aligning at the right time.

For the rangy 6-5 guard who provided a spark for the Fire in 2022, that alignment points back toward the Northeast as Deon Lyle returns to the Albany Patroons by signing a free agent contract prior to Albany starting their ‘23 training camp.

Lyle will also be reunited with former Potawatomi head coach Derrick Rowland, who himself returned to Albany this offseason, with the team welcoming back Coach Rowland who guided the organization to a TBL title in 2019.

“I feel like I’ve grown as a player in enormous ways. I’ve really focused on becoming a two way player and being able to lock down the other team’s best player as well as score efficiently each game,” Lyle said at the time.

Fast forward 9 months later and Lyle — who averaged 16. 4 points 4.3 rebounds in 23 games last season — is officially ready to run it back with the Patroons.

“It was a last minute decision. I had several other offers on the table, but Albany was the one I felt most comfortable with,” Lyle told ATBL.

“Returning to the Patroons is great feeling. I have unfinished business in the TBL, so I’m looking forward to the season and making a championship run. To all the fans in Shawnee I want to thank them for all the love and support that the gave me. My decision was very hard to make.”

A new father with his son, Malakai, arriving in July and also launching his clothing line — YNWSTYL (You’re Not Welcome) — during the offseason, it’s been a blessed start to the New Year for Mr. Lyle.

”I’ll leave for training camp Feb 18th and our first game is March 3rd at home in the Armory against the Syracuse Stallions. We also play NBL Canada teams this year which will be a great opportunity for me as well to showcase my talents to NBA scouts.”

Next stop, Albany, where life for Deon Lyle has aligned with the Patroons.

Wendell Maxey is the author of Around The Basketball League and has written about professional basketball and sports for 19 years. He’s been featured on NBA.com, ESPN.com, USA Today, FOX Sports, and SLAM Magazine among other publications and media outlets. You can connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn or read through his archive on Linktree.