Recruiting Update – Jett Birdsall (2024 Sunset)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We still remember the first time that [player_tooltip player_id='1268434' first='Jett' last='Birdsall'] caught our eye. It was at an AAU tournament after his freshman season and the point guard drained five threes, playing much bigger than his then small size. Since then the now senior at Sunset has grown both physically and with his game and a lot of that development took place this past spring and summer - one where he's now getting looked at by coaches at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I took the summer off (from AAU) so I spent most of my time just working on my game," Birdsall said. "Spent a lot of time in (the gym, and then me and my AAU coach, Ty (Macon), we spent a lot of time working out," Birdsall said. "In the spring it was good. Played with some of the seniors, like Jonah (Jones) and Deshawn (Gaston), guys like that, it was a lot of fun just getting exposure but also making sure that I improved and did what I had to do."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Birdsall expanded upon what improvement looked like for him. "Really the main thing was just getting stronger," Birdsall said. "I think I put on like ten pounds since last year, so just spending a lot of time in the weight room and then just tightening everything up, playing better with contact, stuff like that."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to AAU basketball, Birdsall attended a number of elite camps and made an impression. The interest from a number of the D-III schools from the Northwest Conference has come in and he notes that he's heard from Linfield and Pacific the most, with the Boxers extending a roster spot offer. He's keeping things wide open when it comes to almost everything with his recruitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Ty's reaching out to a lot of people for me so I'm hoping it speeds up, but right now it's just those couple of local schools," Birdsall said. "Really just anywhere I can fit in and keep up with the academics - obviously that comes first, like going to college is first, it's not going to college to play. So that obviously comes first, but just somewhere I can fit in, I feel welcome, stuff like that. I'm really open to anything. I'd rather stay West Coast, but really anywhere I can play."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good senior season will no doubt lead to those opportunities. It's a year that Birdsall believes will be good for not only himself but the Apollos as well. "I expect a lot from us, honestly," Birdsall said. "We've got eight returners because we only had five seniors last year and Kayin (Turner) is obviously one of the best players in the state. I think we came together a lot as a team, especially over the summer, and just having so many returners, we're super tight-knit - we're all friends off the court. At the least, I expect a fun season, but I expect us to win, make a playoff run."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Birdsall currently ranks as the #51 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2024 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->