Recruiting Report: Jaylen Rees (2016)
December 3, 2015 Sioux City East big-man Jaylen Rees had a very productive junior season with the Black Raiders, but elected to not play grassroots ball last offseason. Though he possesses good size and ability, he sites his inactivity last…
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Continue ReadingDecember 3, 2015
Sioux City East big-man Jaylen Rees had a very productive junior season with the Black Raiders, but elected to not play grassroots ball last offseason.
Though he possesses good size and ability, he sites his inactivity last spring and summer as a reason why his recruitment is currently lacking.
He’s also teetering as to whether he wants to play basketball in college or just go for academics.
“I’ve picked up no offers and I’m not sure if any teams are truly interested in me, I don’t have many coaches contact me. Really the only school I’ve seen anything from is Briar Cliff,” said the 6-foot-6 power forward.
“Probably because I didn’t play AAU ball, that’s probably a big reason. And I don’t know if I’ve put enough interest out there because I’m not sure yet if I really want to play college basketball, I’m still kind of on the fence.”
Rees added: “I’d probably just go to school for academics if I didn’t play, but if schools were to show interest I would probably consider it more.”
The senior power forward is in-line to have a big season with the Black Raiders this season, and says he’ll have to produce more than his respectable 10.8 points and 8 rebounds per game last season.
“I’m a really good passer out of the post, and I have good footwork and moves out of the post, also my mid-range is pretty good. Things I could work on are my ball-handling and outside shooting,” said Rees.
“I’m probably our primary rebounder, and my scoring role will probably be a little bit higher. I won’t come out of the game as much, I’ll be in the game most of the time, and defensively I’ll have to step up.”
As always is the goal for a prominent program, the Black Raiders are thinking state, or bust.
“Our goals are definitely to make a state appearance,” said Rees. “We haven’t been there in three years, so it’d be nice to get back down there.”