Recruiting Report: Jakiel Wells (2019)
Toledo St. Francis’ 6’1″ point guard Jakiel Wells (2019) takes a blue-collar approach to the defensive side of the floor.
“My energy I bring, not a lot of players want to bring. So, it takes a special player to want to play D … It’s mainly mentality though. The will. The want,” Wells said.
Wells is taking that same approach to the upcoming high school season, where he’ll get a chance to play his natural position after the graduation of a couple players.
“Last year, I was just there coasting, seeing the ropes and everything. Now it’s time to put everything into affect, everything that I’ve learned over the last two years and actually lead the team,” Wells said.
“I’ve been a point guard but Kenny [Coleman-Graham] was there, so I adjusted. But yeah, I’ll be the point guard,” Wells said.
Wells broke down what type of point guard scouts can expect him to be.
“I’m more of a floor general. Knowing my teammates strengths and getting everybody involved,” Wells said.
In preparation, Wells has also been putting up “a couple hundred” jumpers a day, in order to stretch the floor and become a threat to pull-up off screens.
Going from a secondary to a primary offensive option for his high school team could help Wells’ recruitment. Whether it’s with St. Francis or the NEO Shooting Stars, Wells has already shown the ability to be a complimentary piece that can guard the other team’s best perimeter scorer. But he’ll now have the opportunity to prove himself as a scorer himself.
The #69 player in the 2019 class currently doesn’t carry an offer. However, he’s seen interest from a couple MAC programs.
“I have a lot of interest from Akron … Toledo was at one of our workouts two weeks ago,” Wells said.
But, with it being just his junior season, Wells said he’s just focused on grades before this season starts. He currently has a 2.7 GPA.
Scouts can watch Wells with a new-look Knights team for the first time on November 30 against Sylvania Southview.