Prospect Introduction: Jamai Tejada (2023)
Basketball runs pretty heavy in the Tejada family.
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Point guard Jamai Tejada out of Mater Lakes Academy. Tejada is a natural scoring guard who is just beginning to reach his potential in his freshman season with the Bears.
“I learned the game of basketball from my dad and my cousin,” said Tejada. “My cousin (Lance Tejada, Jr.) plays overseas in Puerto Rico. My dad taught me basically when I was young cause all my family played ball. I just kind of wanted to play off that.”
It is safe say Lance Tejada Sr., who is also the Head coach at Mater Lakes, taught Jamai well. Heading into Wednesday’s game against Champagnat Catholic, Tejada was averaging 15 points, five rebounds, 4 assists and two steals per game. Those averages put Tejada in the top three in all categories for Mater Lakes. The point guard is a part of a talented back-court that includes fellow freshman Anthony Floyd. Both players give Mater Lakes one of the better back-court tandems in the county.
“I think my game is smooth; fast paced in a way,” said Tejada. I kind of take my game after a James Harden or Russell Westbrook.
Watching Tejada briefly in practice, it was evident his talent. Tejada is an athletic kid who can do just about everything with the ball in his hands. Despite being a freshman, Tejada already has the looks of a varsity veteran.
So what is Tejada looking to do to improve his game?
“I am trying to improve my defense and my speed,” said Tejada. I would like to get better with my agility and improve my passing game. I want to be a better leader so when these seniors go away I can step up next year as a sophomore and teach the freshmen.
The Bears are currently off to a 3-2 start, but Tejada and company have high goals for the season. While he might be in his first year, Tejada knows what he is looking to achieve.
“We are trying to accomplish being district and state champs,” said Tejada. We are trying to get to a better place because we are a young program. Overall, we are just trying to develop to get to that point.”
If the Bears are looking at these goals moving forward, having Jamai Tejada around is a good place to start. He already as the game to be one of the best underclassmen in south Florida. The future is certainly bright for the Mater Lakes program.
The basketball pedigree was set, now its Jamai’s turn to write his own basketball story. By all accounts it looks to be a pretty good chapter, so stay tuned.
For any South Florida hoops news or information please contact Michael Costeines on IG @Steins_23 or follow him on twitter @Mungertown_Mike23