Prospect Spotlight: Jacob Runyan (2022)
Very few freshman at the 4A level in Iowa get the opportunity to play varsity basketball, even fewer get the chance to start, Johnson point guard Jacob Runyan is among those few. The 5-foot-9 freshman has been at the helm…
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Continue ReadingVery few freshman at the 4A level in Iowa get the opportunity to play varsity basketball, even fewer get the chance to start, Johnson point guard Jacob Runyan is among those few.
The 5-foot-9 freshman has been at the helm of the Dragons’ offense this season, and has been starting since their third game. The Dragons have been impressive, going 4-1 since Runyan’s been the starting PG.
He’s not putting up gaudy numbers, or making spectacular plays; but instead, plays his role, and plays it steady. He manages the game well, and is as poised as a freshman can be.
“I like to get into the lane and create, but I can also step outside and hit the jumper. I just like to do anything it takes to win the game,” said Runyan.
“I need to get better at being a leader and communicating on the court, and working on my pull-up jump-shot.”
Ahead of his freshman season, Runyan worked out with his trainer, former Iowa State guard Curtis Stinson, three to four times a week over the summer.
“He’s a great basketball player and he’s really good at teaching the game, and he showed me a lot of moves and how it translates to the game,” said Runyan.
Now, he’s at the helm for one of Class 4A hottest young teams. It’s something he daydreamed about last year while watching those seniors make the state tourney.
“I was really excited to find out I was going to be starter after the first couple games of the season. I’ve always wanted to play varsity as a freshman, and last year I went to the Johnston games and watched Bowen (Born), Boston (Grimes) and Cam (Vander Zwaag) all play as a seniors,” said Runyan. “And I wanted to get out on the court as much as I could this season, knowing that they weren’t going to be there this year.”
He added: “I think we’ve been really good, we’ve only had two losses, but to two really good teams, North and Waukee. We’re really young, but I feel like we’re surprising a lot of people, and we’re we’re doing to have a good run.”
With still a long time left before his high school career comes to an end, Runyan is just taking it step-by-step right now. The goals for the next year are to simple improve and to maybe start seeing since college interest come his way.
“I want to finish out this season and hopefully make the state tournament,” said Runyan. “And then through the summer, I want to play good with Kingdom Hoops and maybe gain some college interest.”