College Commitment – Jacey Canalin (2024 Wells)

After finishing off a stellar playing career at Wells, it was time for Jacey Canalin Jacey Canalin 5'7" | PG Wells | 2024 State OR to determine the next step. The quick point guard certainly had options and a number of things to mull over, but after considering all the pros and cons and talking things over with his close-knit family, he knew he had his decision made. Canalin will be staying relatively close to home by starting his college career at Treasure Valley in Ontario, and he can’t wait to become part of the Chukars program.

“Treasure Valley has been in contact with me since summer, and that’s a huge reason I chose to attend,” Canalin said. “The culture the coaches bring, the team brings and the school brings is unmatched. They support one another 100% and I don’t think I wouldn’t want to be apart of that. The coaching staff really cares about their players on court, but off the court as well. When I visited it was just great to be around their positive energy and it’s a great feeling when you are welcomed into that type of environment.”

Canalin made the trip to the school’s campus in Ontario with his father and coach Jonny Canalin and it was there he really felt the right fit with the people in charge of the program. “A lot of great things about the school, but the most important one is the whole coaching staff keeps you accountable,” Canalin said. “The TVCC coaches are making sure you are taking the right classes and are on pace to graduate. It shows that they truly care about you and your future. I really enjoyed the community of Treasure Valley. The support the men’s basketball team gets throughout the season just makes all the players strive even harder towards their goals.”

The fit on the playing court, potentially immediately, was also something enticing to the young point guard. “As far as potentially getting some minutes in as a freshman, I believe I’ll have a great shot at getting in and making an impact,” Canalin said. “This upcoming year they are losing their two starting guards, so I believe if I put the right work in and continue to get better everyday I’ll get a shot to show my true self out there on the court. Getting in the weight on consistent basis and being on a meal plan will only help my body be in college ready shape. Being a small guard, I’m going to have to find other ways to impact the game besides scoring, so I’m going to have turn into a better on ball defender and make winning plays on the court for my squad to win some games next year.”

Canalin chose the Chukars over a number of other options, including roster spot offers from two schools on the East Coast in Rhode Island College and Dean College in Massachusetts. He had made campus visits to each and enjoyed his time there, which made things hard. “It was honestly a really tough decision,” Canalin said. “I appreciate the coaches from the East Coast Joe Cabral and Sam Ferry truly showing their interest in me and giving me the opportunity to be apart of their amazing programs, I can’t take that for granted. Obviously the location for the two schools were not the closest, so that was a big factor I had to deal with and be realistic with. I really liked the two schools Dean College and Rhode Island College, but the location was sort of the deal breaker.”

From here Canalin is all set on getting himself ready for TVCC, but as he does so he can look back on his incredible high school career with a lot of pride. “I was grateful to play four straight years of varsity basketball and compete at a high level all four of those years,” Canalin said. “Every year was a stepping stone from coming off the bench, being in the starting five, and then being the sole leader and captain of the team. Being coached by my dad has helped me and be where I’m at today. I appreciate his guidance throughout my last two years of high school on and off the court.”

“It’s been a wild ride of high school basketball but I think I’m ready to move on and play at the next level,” Canalin said. “Getting my career high, surpassing 1,000 points, and getting to experience high school basketball will always have a part in my life.”

Our congratulations go out to Canalin and his family on his decision. As always, stay tuned to PrepHoops Oregon for the latest recruiting news throughout the state.