How Jamyron Keller became Oklahoma State basketball's 'junkyard dog' thanks to his mother

STILLWATER — The 5:30 a.m. rousings from her son never bothered Kayla Keller.

Young Jamyron Keller simply wanted to get up some extra shots, and the hours before school were the best time to get in the gym.

“I’d wake her up, she’s getting me to the gym, back home for maybe a small nap, then she’s off to work,” Jamyron said. “I think seeing that so many times, it’s like, 'OK, she’s making a sacrifice. I need to get on top of my game.'”

Kayla can sleep a bit longer these days, now that Jamyron is at Oklahoma State, where as a true freshman he has begun to settle into a growing role.

Over the last two games since stepping into a starting spot, Jamyron has totaled 37 points, seven rebounds and five assists. He’s 6 of 7 from 3-point range in that span, hitting all four of his attempts while posting a career-high 22 points in last Saturday’s win over BYU.

More: Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton sees a future for Bedlam basketball after OU's SEC move

And the Cowboys could use another strong game from the 6-foot-3, 210-pound guard if they’re going to extend their current win streak to three straight when they play host to OU at 3 p.m. Saturday at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

When OSU signed Jamyron last year, coach Mike Boynton described the young player as a “junkyard dog” because of his tough, physical playing style.

That quality has been on display lately, and it’s something Jamyron credits back to his mother and her commitment to raising him the right way.

“I had a single mom and I think that resiliency that she has and the toughness that she has, I try to bring that to the court,” he said. “She plays a bigger role than I could put out right now. That role is huge in our relationship.”

In 2014, Kayla and 9-year-old Jamyron left South Carolina for Killeen, Texas. And while Jamyron’s basketball skills were already taking hold, his toughness was truly built in Killeen.

Kayla and Jamyron were hundreds of miles away from family for the first time ever, and without their support system around, Jamyron began to see the depth of his mother’s efforts to provide opportunities in his life.

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“That was always my No. 1 priority,” Kayla said. “I come from a faith-based family, a God-fearing, strong family. Whatever Jamyron decided he wanted to do, I was always there to support him, whether it was basketball, or I remember in middle school, he was in the band. He played the tuba.

“I just made sure that I was always present. There were times I had to be tough with him to make sure he understood, because I’ve always told him he has a special calling on his life.”

Though they’re more than five hours apart, Kayla and Jamyron still talk on the phone daily, whether it’s a simple check-in or a deep conversation about what’s happening in their lives.

All of those talks have roots that go back to the toughness Kayla worked to instill in her son, both through her words and her actions.

And now, her lessons of the past 19 years are personified each time Jamyron steps onto Eddie Sutton Court.

“I think it’s evident that’s something he wears with a badge of honor,” Boynton said. “I think he goes out there and plays to help make his mom proud of the child she raised.

“You’re not gonna always go 8 for 8 and not miss a shot, but you can always play with that effort and that kind of intentional focus on helping your team however you can. He’s done that, always.”

More: Big 12 basketball power rankings: Is Houston's Jamal Shead the top player in conference?

OU at OSU

TIPOFF: 3 p.m. Saturday at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater (ESPN2)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State's Jamyron Keller learned toughness from his mother