Recruiting Report: Jalen Pitre (2022)

<p>With the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt to summer hoops in the state of California, many of the area’s prospects have shifted their approach to development and recruitment.</p> <p>Six-foot-8 wing forward [player_tooltip player_id="943436" first="Jalen" last="Pitre"] of Long Beach Poly is one of those players who has made some big decisions on his future in the last few months, recently announcing his plan to reclassify into the 2022 class and take a post grad year after completing his high school coursework and eligibility in 2021.</p> <p>As far as development goes, Pitre, who was planning to compete on the EYBL circuit with the Oakland Soldiers and competed with Belmont Shore in the Terrific 24, hasn’t wasted the down time of not having club events to play in each and every weekend.</p> <p class="p1">"I've been using this time to get in the gym and getting extra conditioning in so when hoops comes back it’s like it never ended," he told Prep Hoops SoCal. "I think not playing in front of coaches was the biggest change but they are able to watch us play on livestreams of select tournaments."</p> <p>Pitre also identified a handful of specific skills he’s focusing on during his workouts.</p> <p class="p1">"Really I’ve been focusing on the consistency with my jump shot and my lower body strength," he said. "Using my body to create contact and draw fouls."</p> <p>Pitre is hoping to get on the floor with the Jackrabbits this season, and even though the CIF Southern Section has altered its sports calendar, delaying the start of basketball season from November to March, he believes Poly has the right mix of players to compete at the highest level.</p> <p>"This year at Poly I’m gonna get that ring with my brothers," he said. "From that chemistry we already have and the talent, I think we can beat anyone. Our end goal is a CIF championship."</p> <p>While Pitre is definitely locked in on his final year of high school hoops in Southern California, he is looking ahead to the future and creating a checklist of what he expects to do during his prep year.</p> <p>"With my post grad year I plan on getting better and improving in all aspects of the game, so when I get to college I’m prepared for a smooth transition," he said.</p> <p>On the recruiting front, Pitre has drawn interest from a strong contingent of Division 1 programs, including Idaho state, Washington State, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, Hawaii, San Diego State and more.</p> <p class="p1">"Now that basketball has evolved, schools are looking for bigs that can play on the perimeter and can score on all three levels," Pitre said of how he thinks his game translates to the next level. "Scoring on the perimeter, bringing the ball up the court and scoring in the post. I can do all of that."</p> <p>When looking at what he wants in a prospective college, Pitre has a few ideas in mind on what kind of program and environment he would like to play in.</p> <p class="p1">"I really look for a great community surrounding the campus," he said. "I look for a family in the team and a coaching staff that pushes me and makes me uncomfortable so I can play and be the best person I can be."</p>