Recruiting Report: Jalen Bethel (2018)

Jalen Bethel (2018), a 6’6” forward/center from Olentangy Orange, has jumped on our radar in a major way this summer with the Ohio Elite Basketball Academy (Purple).

His versatile skill-set revealed itself every time we watched an OEBA game in the spring. Come to find out, he’s discovering new aspects of his game also recently, as he’s playing with another big for the first time in his career in 6’9” teammate James Anderson.

“For Olentangy Orange, I’d say I’m the main big guy, unlike I am for Ohio Elite. Like, I control the paint — I get the ball and dish it out if necessary. Whereas for Ohio Elite, I play in the post but I play more so off our big man James, as you know. He can kick it out to me, we can play some high-low and stuff like that,” Bethel explained.

It’s an interest tidbit in the sense that Bethel has looked completely comfortable as a high-post player for OEBA. His ability to adapt to this situation may appeal to programs who are looking for a strong forward without an ego.

Currently, Rose-Hulman, Lake Erie, Otterbein, Ohio Dominican, and Kentucky State are the teams who are showing interest in Bethel.

“Last week I got an interest from Rose-Hulman, which is a great engineering school. And that’s where I want to focus my major on is engineering … Me and the coach have talked about setting up a visit. So I’m hopefully getting ready for that.”

“Then also Lake Erie, that’s another D-II school that has a pretty good engineering program,” Bethel said.

Clearly, finding an engineering program is key for the 3.6 GPA student who carries a 24 ACT score currently. And by “key” we mean, it trumps the importance of finding a basketball program. Recently, Bethel has been visiting large state schools to check out their engineering programs primarily, without basketball really in mind.

“I went to Cincinnati and Ball State, Ohio State, just some of those schools. Not for basketball or anything like that … I would say if I did have the opportunity to get an academic scholarship at a really big school like that, and I did like the campus, I’d say there’d be a very big possibility [I’d go to school there],” Bethel said.

Bethel also told us that he’d consider going to a Division III program and play if he’s able to find one with the right academic fit.

In the time between his college decision and now, Bethel will play in the All In Hoopfest in Louisville this weekend and man the paint for Orange in the winter months. With options on and off the court swirling for this high-character kid, scouts have the opportunity to make their pitch — just make sure it includes an emphasis on engineering.