Jace Wilkinson
@JW2_101
IG: @jace_wilkinson_2
5'11 , 165lbs, c/o 26
Collinsville HS, Il
Jace is a fierce triple-threat scoring option with crafty ball-handling ability and an array of finishing moves. Jace makes defenders pick their poison with a silky smooth three-point shot with unlimited range or play him close and he will be aggressive attacking the lane with sneaky speed and an explosive mid-range dagger. Jace is strong at finishing around that rim even against bigger defenders drawing fouls and scoring through contact. Jace also shoots around 88% from the free throw line and is working to get his free throw percentage in the 90
percentage range. Jace has developed a quicker release, shooting off the dribble, using screens, and catching and shooting. Jace also thrives in using that speed in transition for fast break buckets. Jace also takes great pride in his defense. Jace sets the bar high for himself every game. He always has a defensive goal not letting his man score. Jace is the ultimate blue-collar stud. Whether he is guarding their best perimeter player, diving on the floor for a loose ball, taking a charge, setting hard screens, stretching the floor, or just being a pest on defense. Jace is not flashy but once he steps inside the lines he plays every play like it is the last play and never takes a play off. Jace will do whatever he needs to do to help the team be successful. Coaches who know Jace know that although he is 5’11”, he plays much bigger, takes pride in his work, and does his job to the best of my ability.
The most motivating thing that happened that pushed Jace forward was playing for his high school which is very rich with history dating back to 1907. They have 61 seasons of 20-plus wins. Which is second in the state of Illinois. They also have 2227 varsity program wins. Which puts them in the top 3 in the State of Illinois and the top 5 in the country. Their coach, Darin Lee is a legendary coach who has 745 career varsity wins and is in the IBCA Hall of Fame. So, being on the varsity roster is not an easy task. With that said, Jace was brought up to varsity the summer after his freshman season while he was still 14 years old. This showed Jace that they saw something in him. Jace did not get as much playing time as he wanted as a sophomore. They had a deep bench including three seniors that all ended up going to college to play. Jace knew with hard work he would get where he needed to be. He earned plenty of Junior Varsity to get him ready. At the JV level, Jace started every game and led the team in minutes played (586 minutes or 30.8 MPG), game-high points, led the team in three-pointers made, free throws made, charges drawn, and had the least amount of turnovers (30). Jace only ended up playing around 80 minutes of varsity. This has motivated Jace to get into the gym every day to work even harder.
Jace had a breakout AAU Summer season with Team Ramey where he averaged 18.6 PPG and led the team in several offensive categories. Jace also received recognition and write-ups at every exposure event, showcase, and live period he participated in during the summer. He had success no matter where he played or who he played against. Jace is motivated to prove to himself and everyone else that he can compete with anyone and become an impact player and a player to watch in the class of 2026. Jace's main AAU goals are to play the best of the best competition (iron sharpens iron), develop, expose/recruit, network, and compete and battle with my teammates. Mission accomplished.
Jace has been focusing on his footwork and
dribbling to create more separation on offense. Jace also has been working on driving angles along with using screens and pick and roll action. Additionally, focusing on
strength and explosiveness.
Jace's goal going into this upcoming season is to be a varsity starter and contributor to his team. Jace wants to make an impact. So far during the summer and fall sessions, Jace has been starting and doing well. Jace wants to take it one game at a time but ultimately win a conference title, regional title, sectional title, and go to state. Jace would like to receive all-conference honors and academic honors. However, he would be willing
to sacrifice an individual all-conference honors for a trip to the States.
Almost every basketball player you ask usually says scoring sparks them. While Jace loves scoring, what fuels him is a great team and individual defense. Defense leads to offense. When he is playing great defense and gets a steal or applying ball pressure with active hands that cause a turnover and they score off of it, that is when adrenaline is definitely at its highest point. To Jace, nothing is better than frustrating a team’s offense and disrupting their entire offensive possession. On another note, they have one of the best student sections in the state, called the Kahok Krazies. So, when they are playing at home, they can get him and the team pumped up. Lastly, knowing he is surrounded by coaches who believe in him and trust him, fuels him. When he knows a coach has his back as long as he is giving his all how can you not thrive?
Jace handles adversity by instantly thinking about the “next play”. He also uses a lot of positive self-talk. You cannot change what already happened so just move on and learn from it and make up for it. It's easy because he is surrounded by good teammates who are always communicating. Communication goes way beyond what most people think. It includes reminders and words of encouragement during good times and adversity. Having confidence and the right mental approach is important regardless of sport. So, you have to be mentally tough and not let adversity get you down. No one is perfect and everyone makes a mistake or two in a game. It’s how you handle it that matters most.
A coach can expect that they will get a player who is dedicated. Jace knows many players say this but do they practice it? Jace is up at 4:45 AM every morning to get his skill work and shooting workout in before school. He usually makes around 400 shots per day. Jace has to do that because he has football after school and then usually leaves football practice to go straight to a place called Spade Athletics to work with his strength and conditioning trainer. Jace watches a lot of game films. Jace also plays quarterback for his school football team and he believes that helps him with leadership, physicality, court vision, communication, and decision-making. A coach can expect to get a great leader with a high motor who is coachable, a great teammate, and takes academics seriously. They can expect to never have an academic or disciplinary issue with him. And if a teammate needs help with his studies or anything else, Jace will do whatever he can to help them. Jace is a team player and believes that team chemistry, communication, and trust are extremely important to team success. Jace also believes that he is college basketball-ready. Jace's two older brothers both played college basketball and they have helped him prepare for college basketball his entire life whether it be training, getting him into the routine of a college athlete, or advice and words of wisdom.
Jace sees himself playing DI level or DII level. Jace says this because he has trained with and played against D1 players and recruits and held his own. In numerous circumstances, he outperformed them. Also, depending on the coaching system, Jace is confident he could be put in situations to be very successful at a high level. But he is still a young high school junior and barely 16 years old, he has some growing left to do. Jace believes as he gets older and matures more that his strength, height, and abilities/skills will increase and the level he sees himself at may change. Jace will eventually be around 6’0” or slightly above. His older brothers are 6’1” and 6’4”. Jace can also see himself playing at D2 or the NAIA level. When he decides on where Jace wants to play, it has to make sense to him. If a lower level gives him the feeling that it is a great fit and what’s best, then he would not have a problem with playing at a lower division. Either way, Jace is confident that whatever level lands he will continue to work hard and not let the coach who believed in him and offered him an opportunity down.
I assess that this talented young star is hungry and determined to get better every single day. Jace's defensive swagger matches his scoring ability. He has extremely high potential and the will to succeed with an insane work ethic can reach any goals he sets. Lock him in and keep a close eye on this one y'all.
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