Recruiting Report: Jaden O’Neal (2016)
In the Northwest Ohio city of Lima, guard play is the defining position for any kid growing up. Who wouldn’t want to follow in the footsteps of Greg Simpson, Travis Walton, Jamar Butler, Tyler Ulis, and now Xavier Simpson? This…
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Continue ReadingIn the Northwest Ohio city of Lima, guard play is the defining position for any kid growing up. Who wouldn’t want to follow in the footsteps of Greg Simpson, Travis Walton, Jamar Butler, Tyler Ulis, and now Xavier Simpson? This year’s senior class in the city is special and deep at the lead guard spot. Right there in the group is Jaden O’Neal of Lima Shawnee, with longtime friend Simpson a Michigan signee leading the pack. The lengthy, high-volume scoring point guard has been putting up big numbers for years now and his senior season has been nothing out of the ordinary. Lima Shawnee led by O’Neal, their clear cut leader, is experiencing its most successful season of late, sitting at 9-3 this far into the season.
Speaking on the season thus far for he and his team O’Neal had this to say, “Things have went well this season thus far as we are 9-3. For me I feel like I have stepped up to an even bigger leadership role this season and am a guy that all my teammates can look to, to make plays and get them in the right spots. There’s been a bigger emphasis of getting guys involved to add different dimensions to our offense. Another big key for us is our team defense and the pressure we apply.”
In regards to his recruitment, he has heard from numerous D2 and D3 programs in the past, with Ohio Dominican and Lincoln Memorial (TN) being the two schools to reach out this week; both are quality D2 programs.
Asked what he is looking for in a program at the next level, he replied, “Looking for a program where I could get a degree that would be worth something, a program that has a culture of winning that I could help build on and improve myself through. Also, just a program that after 4 years I could look back and see how much I helped it and changed it for the better.”
He was also quick to chime in, “A fast paced offense wouldn’t hurt either.”
Whoever lands O’Neal is getting a mature and smart young man who can make an impact on and off the court. Below are some highlights from his senior season thus far: