Recruiting Report: Jahn Lamothe (2023)
Adjusting to the varsity level as a freshman always brings many challenges. For St. Frances guard Jahn Lamothe, the journey was even tougher considering the Panthers were a top 25 team nationally and played 40+ games on the season.
“It was a blessing, honestly,” Lamothe told Prep Hoops. “To be able to see the things I saw and get out of state for games to play top competition isn’t something a lot of freshmen get to do. The thing that was toughest for me was getting in shape and staying ready for that many games.”
I caught up with Lamothe, the no. 8 ranked prospect in our 2023 rankings, following Team Durant’s training camp session yesterday and his body has drastically improved. The 6-foot-3 guard is leaner, much more active all over the floor and seems to move more fluid than he did just a few months ago. He told me it’s been an everyday process, but knows he still has more work to do.
“I’m really focused on improving my flexibility and strengthening my hips and hamstrings,” Lamothe said. “Just overall athleticism and becoming more explosive getting off the floor.”
Becoming more athletic will be key for Lamothe as he is set to take on a bigger role for St. Frances in 2020-21. Losing guys such as Ace Baldwin (VCU), Jordan Toles Jordan Toles 6'3" | SG St. Frances Academy | 2020 State #402 Nation MD (LSU), Jamahl Banks (Wake Forest) and Jamal West Jamal West 6'5" | PF St. Frances Academy | 2020 State #334 Nation MD (South Alabama) are huge voids to fill in the scoring and playmaking departments. Although Lamothe did an excellent job of playing off those players and sniping from the outside, he has more to his game that he’ll be able to showcase in the coming years.
“I’ve been improving with my ball handling over the last few months, but before I got to St. Frances I was always bringing the ball up and making plays off the dribble,” Lamothe said. “I didn’t need to do any of that this year with Ace being the point guard and playmaker that he is, but I’m getting more comfortable with it and just becoming more versatile.”
A couple schools have already involved themselves with Lamothe. Austin Peay and Bryant extended offers while others continue to track his development early on. I expect Lamothe to have his fair share of options before he become a senior in high school. As for now, continuing to improve his body and proving his worth as a playmaker and defender will be key.