Northgate High had a successful season last year as the team went 23-7 and lasted into the semifinals of the North Coast Section playoffs. A big reason for the results was combo guard Connor Jean. Despite averaging a consistent 9.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, Jean has not had any significant college interest during the regular season.
At 6-foot and 160 pounds, Jean played his first summer of club basketball with the Lakeshow 17 team in hopes of busting out. Lakeshow Coach Terry Ahern has this basketball assessment of Jean, "Connor is a very fundamentally sound basketball player that does everything well on the basketball court. He is a very good outside shooter and can hit the 3 point shot with consistency. In addition, he is improving in his ability to get to the basket and finish. He is also a very sound ball handler and passer."
Despite being a Bronco, Jean is a finesse player who plays smart. He is highly critical of himself and is always working on improving his shot. Jean wants to be able to out think his opponent in addition to outworking them. As a result, he plays the point guard with the awareness of when to score to take over the game and also when to facilitate to get his teammates involved.
Coach Ahern on Jean's leadership skill: "I think that Connor is also a very good leader on the basketball court. He is vocal on the court with his teammates in a very good and positive way. He works hard on his basketball skills in the gym and also spends his time in the weight room getting stronger and more athletic."
This 2012 prospect models his game after a few players. Jean can be instant offense like former Arizona Wildcat Jason Terry in that he can hit the three point shot consistently or pull up for the open mid-range jumper on the break. Or he plays like former Oklahoma State Cowboy John Starks in that he can take the ball to the basket, he can finish strong, and he can play relentless defense.
When asked what positive basketball skills he brings to a team, Jean says, "I have a few good basketball moves ranging from a strong aggressive jab, to getting to the hole, and beating my man off the dribble to seeing the court well. However, I believe that my best basketball skill and quality is my leadership and ability to run a club. I am a very cool, calm, and collected point guard that runs a ball club very well and just finds a way to get a win. My leadership is contagious and I bring the best out in all of my teammates and I make all the players around me better."
This upcoming season will be Jean's third year on varsity. In addition to playing for Lakeshow, Jean is working on a spin move and floater. Jean is quite apt at getting in the lane, but wants a dependable floater to improve his finishing that seems so common amongst the professional point guards such as Tony Parker or Chris Paul.
Playing for Lakeshow during the summer has afforded Jean an opportunity to play in front of college coaches throughout the west coast including San Francisco, Anaheim, and Las Vegas. He has a 3.53 GPA and has academically qualified with his SAT score as he would like to major in Finance. He would like to be in a big city environment with a lively environment. He wants to play for a basketball program that features its guards and runs a lot of pick and rolls such as the Princeton style offense with the countless motion and backdoors.
Coach Ahern speaks about Jean's college potential. "I think that Connor will be a great addition to any D-II or D-III basketball program. Connor is a coach's dream to have on your basketball team and he is going to be a very good find for a college basketball program."
Jean is also an accomplished musician as he plays the piano, saxophone, and guitar. In addition, Jean also enjoys refining his culinary skills in the family kitchen. As a result, Jean is not the stereotypical one dimensional jock.
Jean fits the Lakeshow Basketball program mission statement. Lakeshow Coach Joe Fuca says, "Connor is a very good basketball player and a tremendous leader on the court. He is a leader at his school and in the classroom. Connor will play college basketball and be an asset to his program. Connor is currently being recruited by many CCAA teams in Div II like Sonoma State, Humboldt State, and Cal Poly Pomona. We believe Connor is a great ball handler, excellent 3 point shooter, and loves to play aggressive defense. Quick story, Connor's Northgate team went pretty far in the playoffs and he was not able to get into our normal tryout period. When he showed up, I warned him of the competition level and the tough odds to make either of our top 17 teams. He looked me in the eye and said, 'Coach I can make one of these teams and I will help you because I know how to win.' He was right and he has been a leader ever since in our program at practice and on the road and in games."
His team goals are to repeat as league champions and go undefeated in league again as Northgate went 12-0 in league play for the first time in the history of the league. He wants to help his Broncos win an NCS championship and put Northgate basketball back on the map. Personally, he wants to be the MVP of the league and go for 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.
If Jean can attain those individual goals, then his Broncos should have a good shot at league and a deep playoff run. And if that were to happen, watch for this Bronco's college recruiting to bust out in 2012 in Walnut Creek, California.
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