‘He lived for basketball’- Les Martin, Skyler’s Pappy

By Jim Freeman

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Skyler Wallace will pack the gym later today. Sadly it will not be for the reason we all would have liked; starring inside Agee Gym for the Jacksboro Golden Eagles.

A week ago, Skyler tragically lost his life in a car wreck while returning home from the beach with friends.

In late May, Coach Chris Smith’s 2024-25 edition of the Eagles played at Carter High’s basketball camp. “Oh, Skyler had a great camp. He already had his starting position, in the post, locked down for this season,” said Smith.

“This is a tragic loss, and we’re all trying to cope. I’ve told the team whether you’re sad or mad, need to cry or got to have a hug or want to yell, we’re here for you. There are a lot of broken hearts on this side,” said Coach Smith.

Smith laughed when saying “our post players want to shoot threes and our guards want to play in the post.” Skyler was all about shooting, and he was one of those post players out there firing up threes, according to the coach.

“If there was something going on, he had to be there. He was a social butterfly,” said his grandfather Les Martin, the Voice of the Cougars. Though Martin and his wife Amy were Turtle’s grandparents, as they called him, they were also mom and dad, because they were raising him.

“He was a wonderful young man, always smiling, and he was very talented. He had all the talent that you just can’t coach. He was long (pushing six-feet tall), very athletic, could really jump, and he could run. He was fast,” said Smith.

“His love was basketball, and he loved nothing more than to be on that court. One of his best friends, Skyler Moore, will be wearing jersey number five this season in honor of Skyler. Skyler Wallace told us in the spring that he wanted to wear 5 this season,” said Coach Smith. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/14/2024-6AM-PHOTO SUBMITTED)

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