Jake Forrester (206-F-1999, college: St.Louis, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) is a 24 year old 203cm forward from West Chester, Pennsylvania. He is playing his rookie season overseas with the Artland Dragons (PRO A). He began his absketball cvareedr at Westtown School. He then embarked on a NCAA career that took him to 3 schools. He began at Indiana University (NCAA) averaging 2.1ppg, 1.3rpg. He then played 3 years at Temple University (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP: 53.3%, FT: 49.3%, then in his second seasson there averaged 9.4ppg, 6.4rpg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 66.7% and in his last season averaged 5.5ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 51.5%, FT: 62.5%. He finished his NCAA career at Saint Louis University (NCAA) averaging 6.7ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 56.5%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Pro A game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Thanks Jake for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your rookie season for the Artland Dragons. You are presently calling Germany home. What have you learned to appreciate the most about the
country?

I have learned to appreciate the hospitality of the people. This is my first time in Europe and it has been nothing but a great experience for me.

It has been a tough season for the Artland Dragons so far. How tough has the losing been for you
mentally?

I never in my career have lost like the way we have been losing here, so of course it has been tough mentally. I am trying to go into every game and practice with the mindset of being the best I can be to help the team win.

The team lost 3 close games. The club is fighting but have problems putting points on the board and allowing too many points. How confident are you the team will get out of this funk?

I am extremely confident in this team and once we see our first win it will all start to flow. We just need to see one.

What has been your impression of new point guard Buzz Anthony? What have you appreciated most from his game?

My first impression of Buzz is that he is a leader. He can score and pass the ball very well, we need him on the floor.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 206cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think my best player fit would be Nic Claxton, runs the floor well, dunks everything around the rim, can block shots, can shoot from 17 feet, and defend and rebound.

You have shown in the NCAA that you can score and rebound. What would you say is your biggest strength on the court?

I think my biggest strength is the pick and roll, I am a major threat out of the pick and roll. I can either go and dunk or finish around the rim, make the extra pass for an open shot or make a hockey assist to keep the ball flowing. The pick and roll is a huge key in Euro basketball and I think that is my biggest strength.

Hosw important was it for your game to play at 3 NCAA schools. How did that help your game most?

I think that it helped my game because I got to experience college basketball at 3 different levels. I have gained a lot of knowledge of the game being around 3 coaches that are obsessed with the game of basketball.

What kind of defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

Now I am a solid defender but there is so much more room for me to grow, I want to guard 1-5 and be able to switch everything on the floor. Also currently I can alter shots around the rim but I want to be a major shot disruptor.

On what area´s of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your
game?

I am working on my ball handling and my shot, Being able to extend the floor is a key for me. I also need to keep working on my motor and key rebounding positioning.

You played your freshman season at Indiana (NCAA) playing 13 games and averaging only 4,2 minutes per game. How tough was this season? Could you take any positives from that time?

The season was tough for me because I came off a huge highschool career playing so many minutes and on one of the top teams in the nation. I learned a lot my freshman year though, I was playing against a great player in Juwan Morgan everyday.

You then played 3 seasons at Temple (NCAA). You played more than double the time than at Indiana. What memories do you have playing under head coach Aaron Mckie?

I learned to be tough at a Temple, have a motor, and just hard work. Coach Mckie is a player-coach so he obviously knows what it takes to get to the next level since he played in the NBA.

How tough was that second season losing many close games plus doing it during Covid. What did you learn about yourself as a person?

I learned a lot about myself during covid, it was a very hard time for everyone, just have to always be prepared for anything to happen. We would randomly have games/practices cancelled due to someone having covid and that would just throw everything for a loop. I learned to be resilient and patient.

In your last season at Temple you scored 21 points in a win over Penn. Was that one of your fondest
moments there?

It was definitely a good memory, but there were plenty of great games/ memories made there. I still am not at my basketball peak, there is so much more to happen.

You played one more season at St Louis. That season you scored in double figures in 8 games. You seemed to have good games against VCU, but couldn´t beat them?

VCU was a tough team, I played well in those games, they had a great guard in Ace Baldwin and he lit us up in the first game.

How did head coach Travis Ford give you that last push and prepare and groom you for a professional career?

He just always kept it real with me and pushed me to be the best I could be. If I was not doing my job he would not play me, that prepared me to always do what I have to do on the floor.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Francis Okoro?

It went back and forth… I would call it even for sure.

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I faced with so many good players in college the list is too long to just pick one guy.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Cam Reddish (highschool), Mo Bamba (highschool), Yuri Collins (college), Quinton Rose (college), Dre Perry (college)

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Bron, Jordan, Kareem, Magic, Kobe

Who is your GOAT and why?

Bron… I’m not getting into it. The debate has been finished since 2016, at this point he is only making his case more solid.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Should they have left it alone?

I love eddie murphy, the first coming to america is a classic. They sould of left it alone lol.

Thanks Jake fort he chat.