Rockhurst University Athletics

J.R. Lyle hails from Kansas City, Missouri. A former standout at O'Hara High School, Lyle led his team to a 20-5 record and three consecutive conference titles from 2009-11. During his senior year, he averaged 18.7 points per game, earning All-Conference and All-District honors. His strong performance continued from his junior year, where he averaged 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

After redshirting the 2011-12 season at the University of Northern Iowa, Lyle transferred to Iowa Western Community College, where he played 10 games before a wrist injury ended his season prematurely. In those games, he averaged 12 points per game and scored a season-high 19 points against Missouri State-West Plains.

Lyle’s college career continued at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he played for the Panthers from 2013-16, averaging 8.5 points per game; serving as both a key reserve and starter. He was a key part of the team that won the 2014 Horizon League Championship and earned a spot in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. He graduated with a degree  in Adult Education and Teaching in 2016.

Transitioning into coaching, Lyle made an immediate impact as an assistant coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College, helping lead the team to the 2020 NJCAA Plains District Conference Championship before a COVID ending year.