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Forrester brings high motor to Westtown

06/30/2016, 6:15pm EDT
By Stephen Pianovich

Jake Forrester has eight D-I offers and counting. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Stephen Pianovich (@SPianovich)
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Jake Forrester had his options when he decided to leave the Kiski School after last season.

Forrester, a 2018 forward from Harrisburg, chose to join Westtown -- a Pennsylvania prep school powerhouse. He gives the Moose a rangy, 6-foot-8 forward with a high motor who is yet another D-I bound player to suit up at the school outside West Chester.

“A lot of prep schools talked to me, but Westtown seemed like a great fit. I like coach (Seth) Berger,” said Forrester, who spent his freshman year at Harrisburg-based Central Dauphin.

Forrester spoke with CoBL at Saturday’s Elite Camp at Penn, where he put his skillset on full display. A rising junior (2018 recruit) with long arms, Forrester showed his ability to play on the wing as well as in the post.

Forrester, who says he still might grow a few inches, could project as anything from a big wing to an athletic combo forward at the collegiate level, and he is working on his ball-handling and shooting in order to become a bigger threat on the perimeter. But the one thing that is easiest to notice about Forrester is his energy. He brings it with him whenever he’s on the court, whether it be a high school game, an AAU contest with the PSA Cardinals or at an individual camp like Saturday.

“(High motor) is a perfect description, and it’s what a lot of coaches like about me on the court,” Forrester said when describing his game. “...I definitely need to work on ball-handling. I’ve been practicing at camps like this, so when it comes to things like Peach Jam, I’ll be ready. I’ve been working a lot moving off ball screens, picking and pop instead of picking and roll.”

Forrester is hoping to hone his game in two years at Westtown and with the Bronx-based PSA Cardinals while he keeps seeing Division I offers roll in.

He currently sits at eight offers. Temple, Rice, Bowling Green, North Florida, Boston University, Siena, Stony Brook and, after Saturday, Penn have all given Forrester scholarship opportunities. And high major schools like Michigan and Maryland have been showing interest.

Wherever Forrester ends up, he’ll be the second member of his family to play Division I basketball. His dad, Dwight, played at Temple in the early 1980s, and was on the Owls’ roster during John Chaney’s first season in 1982-83.

While the younger Forrester has made it clear his college decision will come down to his preferences, he mentioned his father has mentioned “the friendships and bonds” that he formed in his time at Temple.

Forrester will ponder his college decision alongside some of the best recruits in the country at Westtown. He’ll join a roster featuring Mo Bamba -- tabbed as the No. 3 recruit in the 2017 class by ESPN -- and Cameron Reddish, who is getting looks from some of the best programs in the country. The Moose will also have Brandon Randolph, Najja and Zaki Hunter and Anthony Ochefu on a loaded team that will attempt to defend its PAISAA title.

Forrester won’t be the most recognizable name on his new roster, but he’s not worried about that. He knows just by joining the team it will pay dividends.

“My name might not be out there like their’s are yet,” he said, “but playing against them in practice every day is going to make me a better player all-around.”


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