Recruiting Update: Jackson Shelstad (2023 West Linn)
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Jackson Shelstad Jackson Shelstad 6'0" | PG West Linn | 2023 State #55 Nation OR is well aware of the comparisons to one Payton Pritchard. After all, they both are from West Linn and both play the point guard spot.…
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Continue ReadingJackson Shelstad Jackson Shelstad 6'0" | PG West Linn | 2023 State #55 Nation OR is well aware of the comparisons to one Payton Pritchard. After all, they both are from West Linn and both play the point guard spot. But the now 6-foot sophomore is on his own path and doing it his own way. That’s not to say he might not end up doing the same thing but for now, he’s taking in the recruiting process and enjoying – and appreciating – every minute of it.
We caught up with Shelstad after West Linn notched their seventh win of the season – a grinding victory at Tualatin. In the game, Shelstad scored 16 points, but it was honestly not up to the par of many of his games this season – largely because the Timberwolves defense was focused on stopping him. As a result, he deferred some to his teammates which is something he’s more than willing to do and give credit for.
“ Zeke Viuhkola Zeke Viuhkola 6'1" | CG West Linn | 2022 State OR and Mason VanBeenen Mason VanBeenen 6'9" | PF West Linn | 2022 State OR really stepped up in the second half – they were the reason we won the game,” Shelstad said. “Offensively Zeke was getting to the hoop and getting easy layups and Mason defensively was getting a lot of big-time rebounds and a lot of big-time blocks. They really stepped it up for us to win that game.”
It wasn’t Shelstad’s best effort this season but he’s certainly had some eye-popping numbers this 2021 year. “First couple of games I thought I played really well and our team was playing really well,” Shelstad said. “These last two games I’ve been a little sloppy. Every good team has its ups and downs though but we’re really hoping to step it up these next two games and finish the season undefeated.”
As the season has progressed, Shelstad has started to see his recruitment profile really rise. Tuesday was the first day Division I college coaches could contact Class of 2023 players and as expected, Shelstad received plenty of interest.
“It’s been a big change because usually I have to go through other people to get on the phone with a college coach,” Shelstad said. “But now with them being able to call me and text me whenever, it’s a lot different. Tuesday was a busy day as I got a lot of phone calls and text messages.”
Shelstad named Oregon, Gonzaga, UCLA, Arizona, Stanford, Oregon State, USC, Texas Tech, Houston, and some other Pac-12 schools as ones that reached out to him. Many of these schools had already offered him scholarships, but one school that hadn’t yet that did so on the phone with him was Kansas.
“I was super thankful for that offer,” Shelstad said. “I’m grateful for them believing in me and that just means I’m doing something right if they want me in their program.”
The calls come off the heels of Shelstad recently taking unofficial visits to both in-state Division I programs, Oregon and Oregon State. “Both are very nice campuses and the facilities are great,” Shelstad said. “Both of the coaching staffs, I have a close relationship with and both programs are doing great things right now.”
There was some speculation that Shelstad might commit during his trip to Oregon, especially since they offered him on campus. But that wasn’t the case and at this point, Shelstad is looking at all options.
“I’m totally open right now,” Shelstad said. “I’m just looking to build relationships with coaches and seeing where it takes off after this summer. Me and Mookie (Cook) with the Oakland Soldiers, it should be a big summer for us. I think we can go really far at the Peach Jam, we’ve got a really good team.”
Shelstad currently ranks as the #2 ranked player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2022 rankings.