"The Defensive Engine with a Scorer’s Mentality"

Jeremiah Bumbury

@JeremiahBumbury (all social media)

6’1, 160lbs, Class of 2028

Eagle River HS, Alaska

Jeremiah plays with the kind of edge that separates the hungry from the content. He’s a fierce, gritty competitor who embraces defense as a weapon, not a weakness, and sets the tone with his relentless energy on both ends of the floor. He locks in with physicality and intensity on defense, never backing down from a matchup, and thrives on being the one who makes opposing players uncomfortable. Offensively, he’s a balanced, explosive guard who brings creativity and control to every possession. He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop, court awareness that allows him to create for others, and the mindset of a player determined to dominate every inch of the court.

Jeremiah exploded this past season, averaging 14.5 points, 5.2 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.1 steals per game. His improvement across the board came from refusing to let up, especially when doubters said he wasn’t good enough to even make the team. He didn’t just prove them wrong, he outworked every expectation. Now focused on raising every part of his game, including shooting percentages, decision-making, and defensive consistency, he’s pushing himself to be elite on both sides of the ball. The fire behind his grind is proving to everyone that he belongs. And he plans to do that with poise, maturity, and confidence in his choices on the floor.

This AAU season, Jeremiah will play with GBD Hoops 16U on the NXT Pro League Puma Circuit. With an upcoming live event in Richmond, Virginia, he’s focused on showing the complete version of his game. His goals are to make his mark against anyone in his path, improving his shooting, finishing with power and precision, and pushing to dish out more than 13 assists in a single game. But more than anything, he’s driven by the chemistry with his teammates and his hunger to be a difference-maker on both ends. Off the court, he grounds himself in his support system, especially his mom, who constantly reminds him to guard his mind and stay focused when adversity hits. Her words help him block out distractions and stay positive in every situation.

What fuels him more than anything is defense. Jeremiah plays with the belief that teams need killers, not just scorers and that getting stops is just as valuable as buckets. His best coaching advice came from D1 trainer Shelby Adams while training in Japan: “To be a killer on the court, they gotta earn your respect, and if they hate on you, then they respect you.” That drives him every time he laces up.

I assess that Jeremiah’s defensive fire and complete skill set can instantly elevate any program’s energy and effort. He brings toughness, discipline, and a mentality that college coaches crave. He doesn’t shy away from the toughest assignments and still contributes as a reliable offensive option. His feel for the game and willingness to embrace his role on both ends make him a plug-and-play competitor who can lead or support depending on what’s needed.

Expect Jeremiah to keep rising as a floor general who delivers with heart, hustle, and high-level decision-making. His growth is just getting started, and with his fierce commitment to constant improvement, he has the potential to develop into a major two-way threat at the next level. His ceiling continues to rise because every day, he plays like it’s earned, not given, as this coach's dream is a powerful example of my personal favorite kinda player. Keep an eye on this young star.