How cancer and suicide has inspired Sydney King Tyler Robertson to help others ahead of Pink Hoops match
Sydney Kings rookie Tyler Robertson has had to deal with a lot of hardship in his 24 years including his dad’s cancer battle, and he’s determined to use that fight as motivation in the Pink hoops match.
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You don’t have to reinforce the significance of perspective to rookie Sydney Kings guard Tyler Robertson.
At just 24, Robertson has years ahead of him yet he has already experienced so much.
From his dad diagnosed with neck and throat cancer to losing multiple friends to suicide, the young guard has a deep understanding of life’s fluctuations.
Robertson’s personal struggles have taken a toll, but he has also used the pain as a platform to help others.
His long-running ambition to study psychology at university was strengthened in 2018 after his close friend Tyson Noyes committed suicide.
“Tyson was one of the happiest guys in the room - you don’t know what each person is battling,” said Robertson, who is a proud Warrandyte Venom and Dandenong Rangers junior.
“Having that happen and other people I met in America and losing them tragically.
“Death is one of those things that puts life into perspective.
“So, it’s being a human first and Basketball has always been a hobby – not what I look at myself as.”
Robertson’s outlook on life was further broadened in 2023 when his father Andrew was diagnosed with cancer.
He will never forget the moment his University of Portland basketball coach called him over to his house to share the bad news.
“My coach never invited me over, so I knew something was up,” he recalls.
“It was one of the toughest phone calls I’ve ever had.
“Mum had water in her eyes and dad doesn’t usually cry and he was almost there delivering the news to me.
“It was one of those things where it didn’t hit me until I got back home and into my own space where it was just me.
“That is when the raw emotions of it all (hit). It was a dark time for me.”
Robertson flew home a month after his dad’s diagnosis to help with his first rounds of cancer treatment.
He wanted to do whatever he could to help elevate the mental and emotional toll on his father.
“I took dad to every appointment just so I could see first-hand what was going on so I wasn’t over-thinking everything,” he said.
“That was the most important thing for me to see the treatment he was getting and the toll it was taking on him.”
King #252 @Tyl3rRobertson spoke with the @BigSportsBrekky crew this week, ahead of Sunday's Pink Hoops double-header at @qudosbankarena 🩷
— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) January 15, 2025
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Robertson’s dad is now in remission, but doctors are keeping a close eye on him with cancer typically returning around the two-year mark.
“So, the next three or four months they are really keeping a close eye on him,” he said.
“He has a lot of check-ups and scans and monitoring everything if he is feeling unwell or can feel any lumps on his body.”
Robertson’s experience of cancer via his father will make Sunday’s third annual Pink Hoops game a “special” occasion.
His dad Andrew will be in the stands at Qudos Bank Arena for the clash, which is in support of the McGrath Foundation and former Flames star Tiana Mangakahia who announced her retirement in 2023 due to stage 4 breast cancer.
“It’s probably going to be one of the more memorable games I’ll have, especially in my young career so far,” he said.
“To be able to see the nurses who do so much for the patients and having my dad there to experience it.
“I’ve been chatting to dad a lot this week and he said the work the nurses do goes unnoticed a lot of the time.
“It’s their job, but also the raw emotion and the great job they do looking after people.”
Robertson jokes that his parents always “hang bit of crap” on him for wanting to talk to everyone and anyone.
Kings and @TheSydneyFlames fans, here is all you need to know ahead of our third Pink Hoops double-header at @qudosbankarena, supporting @Tianamanga and the @McGrathFdn 🩷
— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) January 13, 2025
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The Kings guard possesses a unique ability to connect with people and it’s a skill he wants to pursue as a career, regardless of what happens in basketball.
“I actually got a message before practice the other day from a men’s mental health awareness brand that I’m going to do some work with,” he said.
“Being able to be a beacon for different things to raise awareness and use the platform I have as a professional athlete.
“It’s a big thing for me and something I want to continue to do.
“I’ve had a lot going on in my life, but it has also been a blessing in a sense that I can be someone who people look to and reach out to because I’ve experienced so much in my young life.
“People feel like they can go and talk to me as someone who has had the perspective to help them.”
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