Prospect Spotlight: Jalen Meeks (2017)
We have seen a number of players take advantage of bigger roles this season, and 6-2 senior guard Jalen Meeks of Cherry Creek is one of them. Meeks has led Cherry Creek to the No. 8 spot in the Prep…
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Continue ReadingWe have seen a number of players take advantage of bigger roles this season, and 6-2 senior guard Jalen Meeks of Cherry Creek is one of them.
Meeks has led Cherry Creek to the No. 8 spot in the Prep Hoops Colorado 5A Team Rankings heading into Wednesday’s night’s game against Cherokee Trail.
Meeks is one of the most athletic players in the Centennial League. He’s got great speed that makes him very difficult to deal with in transition. He’s strong on the perimeter and rebounds his position well.
Where Meeks has really made a noticeable impact this season is on the offensive end. Through much of his career, with players like Hayden Parr and Will Halfon shouldering much of the load offensively, Meeks fit in as a player who created a lot of offense with hustle plays, rebound putbacks and transition finishes.
Meeks is still able to create offense in those ways effectively, but he’s also become a much more effective jump shooter. We saw this newly refined skill on display when Meeks led Cherry Creek to a 63-45 victory over Legend on Dec. 20. He finished 8-of-15 from the floor, demonstrating consistency with the mid-range jumper and also knocking down an open look from 3-point range.
“My jump shot has really improved, and also my leadership,” Meeks said. “I’ve been here before, so I want to make myself a better person and I’m doing that through my teammates.”
Meeks has taken to his leadership role well under first-year coach Kent Dertinger, who was an assistant under former longtime coach Mike Brookhart. In the game we viewed against Legend, Creek saw a big lead melt away after a rocky second quarter.
Meeks came out of the gates on fire in the third quarter, scoring 13 points in the period to help the Bruins take control of the game.
“I know my team needs me,” Meeks said. “We weren’t feeling it, so I knew if I picked it up they would follow.”
Meeks has certainly picked his game up. His recruitment to this point has been light, but he has the athleticism to play at the Division II level, with a skill set that is quickly catching up.
If his progress keeps elevating, it could be a big year for surprising Cherry Creek.