Recruiting Update: Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge (2021 Jefferson HS)
If Jefferson is going to hit their goal of winning the state championship, there’s no question the intensity on the defensive is going to be there. Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge will be the first to tell you that. The aggressive 6-foot-7, 235-pound…
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Continue ReadingIf Jefferson is going to hit their goal of winning the state championship, there’s no question the intensity on the defensive is going to be there. Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge will be the first to tell you that. The aggressive 6-foot-7, 235-pound post may only be a sophomore, but he’s been taking on a leadership role both vocally and by example for the Demo so far this season.
Rawlins-Kibonge has certainly been doing the dirty work for Jefferson. Using his physical nature to bang in the paint for rebounds and his length to block shots down low and also on the perimeter on close-outs, the athletic post also isn’t afraid to step in and take charges for the team. It’s something he takes pride in.
“If I can get out there and sacrifice my body for the team, that’s better than any bucket I can get,” Rawlins-Kibonge said.
Offensively, Rawlins-Kibonge hasn’t been chopped liver either. He has posted up strong and has moves to the basket where he can finish with some powerful dunks, but the sophomore has also shown the ability to face up and hit mid-range jumpers with a soft touch. His overall myriad of skills has draw some early college attention, something which should develop more through the season and into the spring and summer.
“I’m just focused on the team right now and getting them to the championship,” Rawlins-Kibonge said. “But I’ve been hearing from Pepperdine and Coach (Ken) Bone, and Portland State has been talking to me too.”
There are games left to play for Jefferson and two key ones coming up are against Seattle power Rainier Beach in the MLK Invitational and then the rematch with Grant on January 31st. “We’ve got to keep on coming out aggressive defensively in the first half as we do in the second half and make sure we aren’t giving them an opportunity to win,” Rawlins-Kibonge said. “And I’m working on my conditioning – I need to run up and down the floor more, take more charges, get more rebounds, and if they need me to play the whole game then I need to play the whole game. I need to be ready to do that.”
Rawlins-Kibonge currently ranks as the #3 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.