Most of Tim Soares' favorite memories as a Master's University men's basketball player revolve around relationships.
"Many of my best friends have been on the basketball teams," Soares said. "Even the first year I was here, I'm very connected with those guys."
The only thing that changed over a decorated four-year career was that Soares went from looking up to his veteran teammates to being one of them.
"It's weird. Now I'm the old guy," he said.
As such, it was time to get a grown-up job. Which, in Soares' case — because he's 6-foot-11, mobile and capable of knocking down three-pointers at a high percentage — meant signing a professional basketball contract.
Soares and Samsun BSB Anakent, a member of Turkey's second division, have agreed on a contract that makes Soares the 26th former Mustang to sign a pro deal.
The three-time NAIA All-American plans to leave for Samsun, Turkey, early next month, with the season set to begin in October.
In his wake, Soares leaves a legacy as one of the best big men in TMU history.
"Tim has solidified himself as one of the all-time Mustang greats," said Master's head coach Kelvin Starr. "There is a massive void we have to fill this year and beyond. I'm so excited for Tim as he ventures to Turkey this fall."
Recently married, Soares and his wife, Hannah (Forrar), a former Mustang women's basketball player, hope to find an apartment in Samsun, a city of roughly 1.4 million located along Turkey's northern coast, before the Turkish Basketball League season begins.
Soares officially signed with Samsun this week, making him the second Mustang to sign a pro contract this summer. In late July, Brock Gardner, another key senior on TMU's 2019-2020 squad, signed to play in Portugal's top league.
Soares leaves Master's as the program's all-time leader in blocked shots (272). He is fifth all-time in rebounds (1,001) and 10th in points (1,768).
Most notably, he was the centerpiece of a monumental turnaround.
The season before Soares arrived, Master's won four games and missed the national tournament for the 16th straight year. But, with Soares at center and surrounded by a host of talented teammates, the Mustangs went 107-21 over the next four years, reaching the NAIA national tournament four times and winning three Golden State Athletic Conference tournament titles. Master's also won two GSAC regular season crowns.
Soares said he's thankful for TMU coaches who helped him develop into a knock-down three-point shooter (he connected on 39% of his threes for his career, the 10th best mark at TMU all-time) and for mentors both in and out of the classroom.
"I'm thankful for all the learning I had with (TMU Campus Pastor) Harry Walls, who was discipling a couple guys on the team and all the learning I received from the professors," Soares said. "One of the big things I'll remember is that the professors don't only teach you. They show Christ in them through the way they teach and interact with the students. I'm also thankful for Dr. MacArthur and everything he's done for the school, helping it to blossom. It's been very helpful to me through the years."
Soares believes he's ready for a new challenge.
"I know wherever I go I have the truth," Soares said. "I learned a lot about the Bible here, and I know what to expect. I know what the world will bring at me."
Hansel Atencia, a teammate of Soares' at TMU for three years before going on to a professional career in Iceland, said it was gratifying to watch Soares develop into a dominant post player. What's more, Atencia said he was impacted by Soares' humble attitude.
"He was always ready to do his best for the team and had that 'we over me' mindset," Atencia said. "He was probably our best player, but he was always humble about it and made sure that we knew he only cared about the team's success."
For a closer look at TMU men's basketball, visit the program's Instagram and Mustangs in the Pros pages.
