Recruiting Report: Jalen Dearring (2019)
Jalen Dearring was Minnetonka’s starting point guard last year as a sophomore and he’s now their top returning producer.
Dearring, listed at 5-foot-9 last winter but has continuously grown since, led the Net Gain 16u club on their 30 game schedule over the spring and summer.
“The (16u) year went solid,” Jalen told Prep Hoops. “My biggest take away would be the exposure playing on the Adidas circuit. Also having the opportunity to potentially earn a scholarship.”
Jalen is now an upperclassmen and the man with the ball in his hands. Jalen is working daily with his father to improve every part of his game.
“I work to improve on about everything, but I mostly focus on raising my IQ and perfecting my jumper,” Dearring explained.
“I’m staying in the gym especially with my teammates. Watching a lot of other hoopers/basketball and watch the right stuff so I can implement it in my game.”
Minnetonka has a solid group of players coming back including Dearring and Jon Martens plus players from the JV are ready to step forward likely being Peters Haas, Cameron Steele, Aaron Syverson, and Jackson Owens.
“We are going to surprise a lot of people. The goal is to get to the state tourney, something we are capable of.”
Some schools have began to call on Dearring after his Net Gain year.
“I’ve heard from Winona State, the UIC flames, UCF, and Tulane University,” Jalen said.
Jalen’s father Darren Dearring was a star at DeLaSalle and his older brother Riley Dearring was a top player in Minnesota graduating in 2013 from Minnetonka.
“There are so so many that have influenced me but, my older brother Riley influences my game,” Jalen said. “Also with Baron Davis, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, Derek Harper, Corey Sanders, Isaiah Washington.
“My favorite players would have to be Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, Nick Van Exel, Penny Hardaway, and Allen Iverson.”