Recruiting Report: Jacob Polakovich (2018)
Some guys dream for a shot at the NBA, but 6-foot-8 power forward Jacob Polakovich has different professional hoops aspirations.
One major goal for the Grand Rapids Catholic Central rising-senior is to play professional basketball overseas.
“When it comes down to it, my goal is to play after college, and overseas professionally. Whatever school is going to give me the best chance to do that is where I’m going to go to — whether that’s at the D2 or D1 level,” said Polakovich.
“I think playing overseas would be awesome, to get a chance to travel the world and see parts of the world I wouldn’t get a chance to see otherwise. And do it while I’m making a living playing basketball.”
Currently, Polakovich — Michigan’s 28th-ranked 2018 — has D2 offers from Grand Valley State, Ferris State, Ave Maria, Indianapolis and Northwood. And he’s been offered preferred walk-on spots at Michigan and Central Michigan
“I mean, it’s a lot easier to accept a spot where there’s a scholarship, and all the programs that have offered me scholarships are all great programs,” said Polakovich, who mentioned a general timetable for a decision.
“It’d be nice to have a few more offers, but as of now, I think I got a great list of offers. So if it gets to the end of the season, I’d be happy to make my decision between the schools I have now, then.”
Already with a solid existing skill-set, Polakovich has been working the past year to improve mostly on his defense, and his size and quickness.
“Since last summer, a big thing with me was being able to guard anyone from the three to the five. My lateral quickness had to improve and I’ve improved a lot there on the defensive end,” he said.
“I’ve gotten better at finishing with both hands, and finishing above the rim has been a big thing I’ve improved, too,”
This spring and summer, for his 17U grassroots season, Polakovich had the opportunity to play on the EYBL Circuit with Spiece Indy Heat.
“That was a great experience, they’re all great guys and it’s a really great team,” he said. “Once I got used to my role, it was a great experience and I got a lot better through it.”
Now, as he heads into his senior season with the Cougars, he says his role will be much the same as it was last year, with a little added leadership.
“My role will be a lot the same this year. Our offense will go inside a lot, and from that standpoint it will be a lot the same,” said Polakovich. “From a leadership role as a senior, I’ll have a bigger role.”
As for his recruitment goals…
“It’s always been my goal to play college basketball at the highest level I could,” said Polakovich.