Every now and then in this business, you come across a kid you find yourself gravitating back to over a period of years.

The kid’s story develops over time.

You almost feel like you’ve watched him grow up and mature right before your eyes. It’s one of the true pleasures of doing this for a living.

Tyler Frederick is one of those kids.

Seven years ago, he was a freshman on the Butler varsity boys basketball team — a tall, thin kid, his skills raw, his hairstyle adding a couple of inches to his height.

But he grew into the game — and into a dependable player.

As time went on, I learned of Tyler’s family situation. Part of a large family, he was often called upon to watch his younger siblings while his parents worked. Those responsibilities sometimes affected his practice time for basketball.

Tyler never picked up a basketball until seventh grade. He never envisioned scoring 1,000 points in high school. He wasn’t even sure he’d develop into a regular starter on the varsity level.

But he kept at it.

His body began filling out. He got stronger, more confident.

He became a three-time all-section player. He reached 1,000 points his senior year. He became a senior leader on the first Butler basketball team to reach the WPIAL championship game in more than 15 years.

Tyler fouled out of that game after it was apparent his team would lose to Pine-Richland. He was despondent. He figured his basketball journey might be over.

Then he got an opportunity to play at La Roche College. His freshman year was plagued by academic eligibility issues — all part of the growth and maturation process.

Tyler will be a senior at La Roche next season. He has been part of two Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship teams. He’s won national player of the week awards and was named to the Division III all-region team this year. He was AMCC Player of the Year.

Entering his senior year, Tyler needs fewer than 100 points to reach 1,000. He has a shot at breaking the La Roche career rebounding record.

He wants to be part of the first La Roche basketball team to win a national tournament game. He wants to win a few of those, actually.

When that’s all done, he wants to graduate with his degree in marketing. Then he wants to go overseas and play professional basketball.

Not bad for a kid who once wondered if he was in over his head on the basketball court.

Allow yourself to mature mentally and physically. Learn from mistakes. Listen to your coaches. Embrace your teammates. Have faith in the process.

Tyler Frederick did all of those things.

He appreciates his growth as a human being. I appreciate being able to watch it.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle