Prospect Update: Jakob Poulton (2019)
A top prospect in Idaho’s Class of 2019, 6-foot guard Jakob Poulton is an established star in the state, and looking to further his legacy this winter.
The Columbia senior has been working relentlessly this offseason to improve his already stellar skill-set. And that could spell trouble for opponents this winter.
“I’ve just been working before school and sometimes two times a week on my game, and then getting in the weight-room. I’m just trying to push my body to the limit before the season,” said Poulton.
“Specifically, I’ve been working on getting bigger, that’s been my biggest problem is getting posted up by bigger guys, and being stronger helps a lot — especially if I want to play at the next level.”
This past spring and summer, Poulton was running with Boise Slam 17U, and was pleased with the way things turned out.
“I had a really good summer, we played some of the top teams in the nation, and it was really good,” he said. “There were a lot of coaches at our games.”
As a junior with the Wildcats, Poulton averaged 18 points per game, that was at the 5A level. This season, Columbia was bumped down a class to 4A, and Poulton is looking to dominate.
“My role isn’t going to change much from years past. This year, though, I’ll need to be more of a vocal leader. I’ve always been kind of reserved and let my play do the talking, but if we want to get to that next step, which is the state tournament this year, I’ll need to be more if a vocal leader,” said Poulton.
In addition to playing and excelling at the Pangos Camp this offseason, Poulton was also at some elite camps, one school in particular has been recruiting him most.
“A lot of schools have reached out with a little bit of interest here and there. Whitman College up in Walla Walla is very interested. I went to their elite camp and did very well, and am going back up there for a visit this month,” said Poulton.
Academy of Art (San Francisco) and Northwest Nazarene are other schools he says have reached out.
Poulton says Division I hoops is his ultimate goal, but he’s eager for any opportunity.
“I think my senior year will have a lot to do with my recruitment. I’ll be thankful to go anywhere,” said Poulton. “But I don’t know for sure what I want to for yet, I just got to be patient.”