Update: PrepHoopsNC #2 2020 (Jalen Cone)
Jalen Cone is naturally a point guard, he is also an elite level athlete, he can facilitate the fast break, rebound, take over a game at will and has a very high basketball IQ for his age. He can play…
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Continue ReadingJalen Cone is naturally a point guard, he is also an elite level athlete, he can facilitate the fast break, rebound, take over a game at will and has a very high basketball IQ for his age. He can play all three perimeter positions and is a defensive hound that has a great frame that allows him to guard all three positions. He explained his game as, “My game is very simple but deadly. I’m not all about making someone fall and do all these crazy moves. If it happens, it happens. I hit my defender with a quick and explosive moves to beat them off the dribble after that I read the defense to decide to either attack and finish, dump off to the bigs, or kick out to my teammates for the three ball.” PrepHoopsNC caught up with Jalen to see how his season is going so far.
PrepHoopsNC: How’s the season going so far? Record, averages….
Jalen Cone: Season is not in our favor. I’m averaging 24.6 points a game with 7 assist a game and I’m not satisfied because our record is 2-4. As a freshman on the varsity level I’m learning something new every game I play.
PrepHoopsNC: What game has been the toughest so far and which other players in your conference do you think can play?
Jalen Cone: Toughest game has had to be Winston Salem Prep. They’re guard heavy and they’re big down low and playing at their place was tough. Gained the largest lead anybody has had on us this year but we stayed and fought and brought the lead back down to0. They’re starting lineup is division one players that are juniors and seniors with a sophomore named Chaz Gwyn that has played at the top level also.
PrepHoopsNC: What schools have you been hearing from?
Jalen Cone: Latest schools to contact me were NC State, Georgia Tech, and Wichita State. This year one of my goals is to pick up three or more major D1 offers as a freshman and I’m working hard day in day out trying to achieve that goal.
PrepHoopsNC: What do you feel that you have improved on since last season and his summer?
Jalen Cone: Since the summer I have improved on becoming a better leader. As a freshman leading a team full of seniors and juniors isn’t a easy task but it has made me become a better player and teammate. I also have made my deep range three pointers consistent and my handle has gotten a lot better to where I can handle any pressure that comes to me. I have gotten more athletic and quicker plus my IQ is above everyone else’s on the court.
PrepHoopsNC: What are the parts of your game that set you apart from other players?
Jalen Cone: The thing that sets me apart is my ambition to be better than everyone, no matter class or age. My faith in God and believing in myself is a confidence that God has blessed me with. I can score anytime I want but can get my teammates involved and not a lot of point guards at our age can do that. I know I don’t know everything so I listen to what my coaches and trainers tell me everyday, I’m very coach-able.