Recruiting Report: Jack Ballantyne (2017)
Lots has changed since we last spoke with Michigan’s 13th-ranked 2017 Jack Ballantyne in April, most notably more offers have come in, but he’s also at a new school. The Warren DeLaSalle turned Macomb Dakota power forward had three offers…
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Continue ReadingLots has changed since we last spoke with Michigan’s 13th-ranked 2017 Jack Ballantyne in April, most notably more offers have come in, but he’s also at a new school.
The Warren DeLaSalle turned Macomb Dakota power forward had three offers then (Oakland, Toledo, Detroit-Mercy), now he’s added a host of additional ones, including a high major nod from Boston College.
In addition to BC, Akron, Kent State, Indiana Wesleyan, Bowling Green, Penn and Houston Baptist have all extended scholarships to the 6-foot-9 senior.
He’s used two of his official visits so far, one on Kent State and another to Akron.
“I really like Akron a lot, and I really enjoyed my time there during my official visit,” said Ballantyne.
He visited Kent State in October, and is planning on using a third official visit to Detroit-Mercy sometime in the very near future.
He’s saving his potential fourth and fifth visits.
“I’m going to keep my fourth one open just in case anything else goes on with my recruitment during the season,” said Ballantyne.
For the versatile power forward, there will be two important factors when making his college decision.
“To me location doesn’t really matter, I think if it’s the right fit then it’s the right fit. I just want a school, honestly, that fits education-wise with what I want, and I want to go into business, and that’s half the battle,” said Ballantyne.
“The other 50 percent is: does it fit me basketball-wise? If it fits my playing style, like the pick-and-pop, and the getting-it-and-go type style, then that will be another huge part in my decision making.”
A good-sized post with the ability to knock down a jumper, Ballantyne mentioned that working on his outside game and his conditioning have been priorities of his.
“I’ve been working on my body and working on being able to hit a pick-n-pop 3, and also creating a mismatch and things like that,” he said. “And I’ve been working a lot on my body, and being in good physical condition so I can get up the floor quick and fast.”
After spending his first three seasons at DeLaSalle, Ballantyne made the switch for his senior season to a stacked Macomb Dakota squad.
“It’s the biggest school in the state and it’s a big change,” he said. “We have some of the best players in the state on our team, a lot of talent, a lot of pieces. And I’m just trying to fit in and create some mismatches; using my ball skills, my handles, my jump shot.”