By SAM LANCE & CHARLIE PARENT
Jake West, a top-200 recruit in the class of 2025, was the X-Factor for Team Final during the Nike EYBL Peach Jam last week, averaging 11 points, 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds en route to a 7-3 record.
The 6-foot-2 guard out of William Penn Charter in Philadelphia led his team in assists and was second in points, only behind five-star backcourt mate Jerry Easter.
He has a unique game: doing the dirty work for his team, hitting big shots when needed and has a nice playmaking ability.
“I’m a competitor,” he told ZAGSBLOG. “I make my teammates better, hit shots [and] just [do] anything to win a basketball game. I’m a winner, so anything that does that, I’m going to do it.”
He’s worked on getting physically stronger this summer, and has proven that with multiple finishes through contact at Peach Jam.
West is hearing from a whole host of schools as of late, previously taking visits to Penn State, West Virginia and Providence, while looking to setup trips to new schools involved like Coastal Carolina.
Alabama, Purdue, Virginia, Florida, Siena and Buffalo have reached out as well.
He aims to setup official visits with West Virginia, Providence and Coastal Carolina thus far, with those potential trips being further in the works then others, and dates could come in the next few days.
West broke down his options to ZAGSBLOG:
WVU: “The way Coach [Darian] DeVries and their coaches preach playing hard, and that’s what I like to do, I play really hard. I went out to one of their practices, and they competed [for] all [the] hour they had. They didn’t complain or anything, so I really like that.”
Penn State: “The coaching staff is really cool. They welcomed me right when I got on my visit, everybody was there, so that was pretty cool to see.”
Providence: “I think just the school [is the biggest appeal]. When I went up there it was really cool. It’s a small school but the program is really good. [They’re in the] Big East, and they have nice facilities, so I really like that.”
Coastal Carolina: “I think just the way that they recruit me. Every coach, I feel like I get a call from them everyday. So they’re really into me and I know the whole staff already which is kind of cool. They seem like they’re really interested in me and they want me to be there.”
Purdue: “I talked to them after DMV Live with my high school. They like the way I compete, and that’s what I want to do at the next level. [They see me like] Braeden Smith: just competing and always giving it my all.”
Charlotte: “Coach [Aaron] Fearne, he really likes my game. I like the way that he likes my game because he shows me my feel for the game and the way I compete. He really likes that stuff about me. So he’s been talking to me a lot, and I’m really appreciative of that.”
Alabama: “They’re a really historic program. They’ve been in deep runs in the tournament. I know a couple guys that have gone there. I think just the coach, Nate Oats, who’s there now is a really good coach, and I think, hopefully, I hear more from him.”
Florida: “Coach [Kevin] Hovde hit me up. I think with Florida, I just like where it is. Florida [is] an amazing place. The SEC is a great conference too, and they’re a great program.”
Siena: “They’ve shown love to me since the start. Coach G-Mac [Gerry McNamara], is an amazing guy. [Him and] the staff don’t miss any of my games, so I think that’s really important to me. They really want me and they really want to recruit me.”
Buffalo: “Coach [Hamlet] Tibbs has been at most of my games and he’s always checking in during the week, so I’m appreciative of them.”
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