Oak Park’s Slajchert picks Dartmouth
Wes Slajchert is one of the most calm and collected guards you’ll find in Southern California.
He developed that self-confidence and ability for teammates to follow his lead by playing four years of high level and structured high school and club basketball with Oak Park and Earl Watson Elite – now known as West Coast Elite.
The 6-foot-5 combo guard, who averaged 13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game as a junior, will take his versatility and high basketball IQ to the Ivy League as he committed to Dartmouth Monday night.
2018 guard Wes Slajchert committed to Dartmouth Monday night. Photo courtesy Under Armour Association.Slajchert said that the combination of academics and basketball atmosphere the Big Green presented to him on his official visit sealed the deal.
“Obviously the academics were a huge driving factor in my whole process, but what set Dartmouth apart was how the new staff came in and was able to convince me that a culture change is happening,” he told Prep Hoops So-Cal. “I established solid trust with that staff quickly and they proved to me that they are going to create a winner in the Ivy League.”
The rising senior got a good feel for how Dartmouth plays on that visit and knew well before then how head coach David McLaughlin and staff plans on using him.
“I was able to play with their guys and it was good to see them on the floor,” Slajchert said. “The coaching staff came out to my high school practices five or six times and always had film to show me how I fit in and made sure I knew what their plan is for me.
“They stress ball screens and try and play with three guards on the floor at all times,” he added. “With the commitment of Taurus (Samuels) as a true point guard, I can be that guy who can facilitate on the ball and off the ball. They saw me as the bigger two guard who can play with Taurus and the other guys.”
Samuels, a talented 2018 point guard out of Vista High in the San Diego area, pledged to Dartmouth in early July and Slajchert believes their games compliment one another.
“Being around the Southern California basketball scene, I’ve seen him play a few times and gotten a feel for his game,” he said of Samuels. “From what I hear everyone says he’s a great kid, has a good mindset and a good feel and approach to the game. I’m excited to be around him and have a guy to bounce ideas off of.”
Slajchert’s mindset is honed in on which aspects of his game he needs to work on in order to be college ready come a year from now and he’s come up with a few things to focus on.
“I think the biggest thing for me will be my strength,” he said. “I’ve always had a bigger frame, but not being filled out, so getting in the weight room and filling out my frame will be important to adjust to the strength of the college game. Along with that, I need to keep working on my leadership because things like that help you get on the floor in any situation.”