Recruiting Report: Jalen Shaw (2018)
Larkin 2018 6’10” center Jalen Shaw has certainly elevated his game in the last six months. With the injury to star Christian Negron it was Shaw who had to step up in a major way in the post. He certainly has done that. He is still growing into his body, but the post has become much more fluid with his movements over the last year. He is starting to get confident and play with a swagger. Rebounds well in spurts snatching boards at their highest point. At times he can miss time his jump and get there a little too early, but he is improving in this area. Has several dunks a game. Also has displayed his face up game this spring with Kessel Heat hitting from mid-range and even stretched it out three. Defensively is more comfortable than he would have been a year ago chasing a perimeter oriented post on the arc and staying with them laterally. Shot blocking presence. Shaw is a no doubt mid-major prospect that needs to be a guy that more schools are making a priority.
He spoke about his high school season.
“My junior year at Larkin went great because I found out how to do certain things and do different things now. I got better.”
His confidence really grew a lot this year as a player.
“I think practicing a lot with my teammates and them telling me I could be better. Everybody giving me help. I got better at facing up and dribbling.”
Shaw has been one of the top players this spring in the NY2LA Association for Kessel Heat.
“I like this team. We have really great coaches and really great players. I think we are doing good. We have a great team.”
What is going on with recruiting?
“I have offers from SIU, Ferris State, and I think UIC.”
He chatted with us about the Salukis.
“They have a great coaching staff and I have seen them play them play a couple games.”
UIC is also in the early stages of getting involved with the talented center.
“UIC recently started talking to me so I have to look more into them.”
Shaw is garnering interest from several other in-state programs. He wants to try to get out for some visits in the near future.