Prospect Spotlight: Jacob Vis (2019)
Western Christian’s Jacob Vis made it official back on October 24 that he would be furthering his basketball career at Dordt College of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). The 6-foot-6 center was among the best players in the Lakes Conference last season, as he averaged 18.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Vis’ decision to attend Dordt College was a no-brainer with the familiarity he has with the program and that only 10 miles separates the high school and college.
“Obviously a lot of my previous teammates have gone to Dordt, so that’s one thing. I knew the guys really well,” mentioned Vis. “I got to know Coach (Brian) Van Haaften really well, so I’m looking forward to playing for him and with the future guys they have right now.”
Vis is a solid scorer on the offensive end, as well as a force on the defensive end with his team-high 143 rebounds and 52 blocks which he recorded last year, but he will be a more complete player heading into the 2018-19 season.
“One thing I worked on this summer is my ball handling and coming off the dribble more,” said Vis. “Also, three-point shooting and to start off the year being a more vocal leader. We lost some great leaders last year, so that’s something I’ve been working on.”
The senior will play under his third coach while at Western Christian this season. Bill Harmsen took the women’s basketball head coaching position at Dordt College following a long-term tenure with the Western Christian basketball programs, while Derek Keizer left his assistant coaching role with the Dordt College men’s program to join his alma mater as the head coach. Keizer was a graduate of Western Christian back in 2003.
After missing the state tournament last season, Vis will be looking to lead the Wolfpack back to the state tournament and contend for the program’s third state crown in four years.