Recruiting Report: Jake Lieppert (2017)
Photo Credit: Valente/AZ Central Sports There’s no question Arizona’s class of 2017 is packed with elite talent- and right in the mix of it is Saguaro High guard, Jake Lieppert. Ranked by Prep Hoops at No. 42, Jake has unquestionably…
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Continue ReadingPhoto Credit: Valente/AZ Central Sports
There’s no question Arizona’s class of 2017 is packed with elite talent- and right in the mix of it is Saguaro High guard, Jake Lieppert.
Ranked by Prep Hoops at No. 42, Jake has unquestionably made his mark as one of Arizona’s prolific scorers. His average of 22 points and 7 rebounds a game has guided Saguaro High to a 12-7 record, thus far. Jake has high hopes his team will make a deep playoff run.
Being this year’s team leader and captain, Jake told Prep Hoops what this role looks like to him.
“Being a good leader means talking on the court, scoring when we need a bucket, being the player that hustles the most on the floor, providing constructive criticism, and believing in my teammates.”
Like many great scorers, playing with a little flash is apart of their game.Though at times this might be true for Jake, it can’t go unnoticed how fundamentally sound he is. The basic fundamentals coaches preach to their kids at a young age has apparently resonated with Jake. Defenses try to stick with him, but Jake’s ability to take you off the dribble and create space is very effective. He can drive to the hoop from both sides- finish, or knock down two free throws. And as every team leader would, Jake creates plays that put his team in a winning position.
His 4.0 GPA in the classroom is also evident in his high basketball IQ. Mistakes are inevitable, but Jake doesn’t seem to allow them affect his game. On the court he’s locked in and focused on one thing- winning.
Jake is a flat out hustler. He’s aware many games come down to the mindset of “who wants it more”. It’s a little something called grit- and Jake plays with it. And his mental toughness is just as mature as his physical toughness. At 6’3, Jake is not the tallest player on the court, but he’s very tough on the boards. Don’t put a body on him and he’ll grab an offensive rebound over you.
Undoubtedly, Jake has the talent to play college-level ball. He currently has an offer from Colorado Mesa University– a Division II school located 4 hours West of Denver. Prep Hoops asked Jake what he’s looking for in a college program and if Colorado Mesa is of any interest.
“First off, I’m looking for a school that can give me a good education. After that I’d like a school with a great coaching staff, great players, and a program that wants to win. If Colorado Mesa turns out to be my only offer, I’ll be excited to continue my career there.”