Jake Alexander Kuhl: 7-Foot Sensation
Jake Kuhl Jake Kuhl 7'0" | C West Central | 2024 State SD – 7’0” C 2024 – Irene-Wakonda – Sanford Sports Academy Season Stats 12.6 PPG | 11.1 RPG | 3 APG | 1.2 SPG | 4.7 BPG Game…
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Continue ReadingJake Kuhl Jake Kuhl 7'0" | C West Central | 2024 State SD – 7’0” C 2024 – Irene-Wakonda – Sanford Sports Academy
Season Stats
12.6 PPG | 11.1 RPG | 3 APG | 1.2 SPG | 4.7 BPG
Game High Points — 24
Game High Rebounds — 17
FG Percentage — 52%
3-point FG Percentage — 37% — 26 makes on the year
Games Viewed (Partial):
I viewed multiple games because I wanted to see how he was being defended by different teams and what kind of matchups favor him.
Lower Brule – SoDak 16 March 7th (full game)
@ Beresford – January 24th
vs Canistota – February 16th
@ Alcester-Hudson February 28th
Kuhl is a rarity in South Dakota High School basketball. A “unicorn” you could say. 7-footers don’t grow on trees, especially with a skill set that Kuhl possesses.
A great athlete for his size/length and runs well.
Kuhl makes the most impact on the game by being a legitimate rim-protector. He blocks and alters shots continuously throughout a game.
— Scouting Report —
Offense
Capable of playing all over the court and all areas of the court
Runs extremely well for 7-foot
Plays on a wing and will try and get post touches at times, if he has a sizable advantage
Doesn’t hold position long in the paint — can get moved
Runs the outside rather than down the middle to receive a post touch
Spaces the floor well and is a threat when he catches the ball
More of a “roamer” and off-ball player than true post prospect
An accurate and consistent jumper, shooting 37% from three
Can score in the midrange area
Can pull-up off the dribble
Solid handle on the ball for a 7-footer — does get loose with his handle at times
More effective when he doesn’t try the “fancy” or “advanced” handle move
Struggles to finish through contact at times
Unselfish and looks to pass
Disappears offensively on occasion
Could receive more touches and opportunities in Irene-Wakonda’s half-court setting
Needs to assert himself more for his team to beat quality opponents
Defense
Bonafide paint-protector
Will sprint back on D to protect the hoop
+ end-to-end speed
Takes advantage of his length and height
+ rebounder that will attack the ball off the rim
Tries to block everything and is highly successful (4.7 blocks per game)
Can get pinned deep near the hoop but his length helps him make up for that and defend the hoop at a high level
Will turn and box-out but needs to be more aggressive doing so
Jake Kuhl Jake Kuhl 7'0" | C West Central | 2024 State SD ‘s season is over but he’ll be competing for Sanford Sports Basketball (Academy) this off-season. There will be many eyes on this 7-foot prospect, including Prep Hoops Dakotas scouts. Kuhl has all the necessary tools and ability and I think he can have control over his progression by playing more aggressively and building body strength. Doesn’t necessarily need to put on a bunch of weight, but a good amount of strength progression will improve his stock. Played very well in the SoDak 16 against Lower Brule and look for Kuhl to build on that momentum and turn some heads this off-season by showing his athleticism, skill set, and length combination. College coaches will fall in love with his ability to affect the game in the paint at such a high level, defensively. It’s also hard to ignore the fact that he’s 7-foot and has guard-like skills and shooting ability. Needs to be more aggressive as a scorer, but coaches might be drawn to a 7-foot prospect that can pass and stretch the floor as a selective shooter. Kuhl is poised to take his game to the next level and Prep Hoops Dakotas can’t wait to see it.