Recruiting Update: Alex Jaczko (2019 Newberg HS)
This summer was a whole new world for Alex Jaczko. It was the first time the versatile 6-foot-5, 190-pound forward from Newberg High School played high-level AAU basketball and it definitely took some adjustment. But as Jaczko fit into the environment, he saw positive changes. His game has grown and as he now embarks on his senior season, he’ll have college programs watching his progress intently.
Jaczko played his club basketball with Team Fly this summer and he thoroughly enjoyed his time. “I thought I grew a lot as a player just playing against really good competition,” Jaczko said. “Defensively I was matched up against some really talented players and that also helped me. It helped me get me used to the pace of play that’s going to be at the next level which I hadn’t been accustomed to, and I now feel more comfortable in those situations.”
Specifically with his own game, Jaczko worked on improving his ball-handling and strength and feels good about how those progressed over the off-season. One of his goals with AAU basketball was to get seen by college coaches and that was definitely achieved. Combining his versatile court skills with his 4.0 GPA and top test scores (33 ACT, 1350 SAT), a whole host of high academic schools have been in contact. Jaczko currently lists Cal Lutheran, University of Chicago, Lewis & Clark, Linfield, Whitman, and George Fox as the top programs currently staying in contact with him.
While Jaczko has made visits to Chicago for camp and a trip to see Whitman, he’s staying even keel with the process. “It’s been cool to see all of these opportunities come up and talking with all these coaches,” Jaczko said. “Really I want to keep my options open because maybe throughout my senior season I can pick up a few more looks from other people. I’m pretty open to places.”
Jaczko has done his due dilligence, having finished his applications for many of the current schools on his list. But now that’s done, he’s looking forward to his senior year, one in which Newberg shifts over to the brand new Pacific Conference.
“I’m really excited for our new conference,” Jaczko said. “It’s a little bittersweet – maybe it would have been cool to have one last run against the LOs and the West Linns but I’m looking forward. We have a good group of guys that have been together for a long time and I think we’re going to surprise some people this year. We have a lot of good out of conference games against some tough opponents so I’m really excited what this group can do.”
“Individually, I want to try and get to that First Team All-League level again and maybe further than that, like All-State,” he continued. “But I’m really more focused on the team aspect, the wins and losses.”
Jaczko currently ranks as the #41 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2019 rankings.