Prospect Spotlight: Jack Chapman (2021)
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — One of Kansas’ premier incoming freshmen, Blue Valley Northwest 2021 Jack Chapman is getting some varsity run for one of the state’s premier 6A teams and is one of the Huskies’ first players off the bench.
At 6’5, Chapman is a wing player who has good size and mobility and a versatile skill set with the ability create off the bounce, finish in traffic and shoot from the outside.
“With my size and mobility, I find myself with many mismatches throughout games,” he said. “Sometimes teams will put a bigger guy on me. In that case I can usually drive by him and either finish at the rim or kick the ball out for a better shot. I can usually create space in one on one situations to get a shot off. If teams put a quicker player on me then I usually have a size advantage and can post up or get an offensive rebound.”
Chapman is coming off a strong summer competing for MoKan Elite’s 14U squad and says the experience has helped prepare him for his freshman year and playing on varsity.
“It was the best exposure that I’ve had to great talent since I started playing,” he said. “I had the chance to go up against some of the best players in the country for my age who challenged me and got me better. MoKan improved my defensive game more than anything else. My coaches taught me how to use my size and length to my advantage.
“I also got better reading the defense. The plays we ran had multiple scoring options and it was the players responsibilities to choose the right option.”
Chapman says he is still adjusting to the high school game, both against playing against older, more experienced players as well as a much different environment than the typical junior high or summer league game.
“Having a packed gym is something I’ve never experienced,” Chapman said. “I was nervous our first game but I’m adapting to the crowd size. Our starting 5 is stacked with really good players. Not many teams can keep up with our bigs and guards like Christian (Braun), Sam (Ward), and Max (Johnson). I’ve been lucky to have them as role models.
“Personally, I need to be more aggressive and stop settling for jump shots. I need to play like it’s just any other game and have full confidence in my self. I’m glad I’ve been given the opportunity to help and contribute to the team. We’re off to a slow start but we are only going to get better and win more games.”
Chapman says Blue Valley Northwest head coach Ed Fritz has had the biggest influence on his basketball career to date.
“Coach Fritz has improved my game and made me the player I am today,” he said. “Also, the Mokan coaching staff and Coach John Addison have contributed to improving me as a player. One of the biggest influences on my game is my dad. He’s been working with me on basketball for as long as I can remember. He taught me how to shoot, dribble, and pass. Still today he gives me pointers and always works with me in the gym. He’s always putting in new moves or rebounding for me.”
A fan of Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving, Chapman says he enjoys watching his ability to create off the bounce and make plays.
“He doesn’t go a game without making another player look ridiculous or creating an insane play for a teammate,” Chapman said. “I also enjoy watching Gordon Hayward because you never know what he’s going to do. You think he’s going to shoot another three but then he ends up driving and it’s hard to read his game.”