Pat Benson
High school basketball tips off in less than a month. If you’re talking local hoops in 2019, you have to start with Cleveland’s Jacobi Wood. The top-ranked point guard has built a following of fans that resembles an orbit. One dunk at a time, one selfie at a time, one D1 offer at a time, his fan base expands into the universe.
Last season, Jacobi helped lead the Blue Raiders to an improbable run to the State Quarterfinals in Murfreesboro. By mid-December his squad was 8-4 and undermanned. Inexplicably they went on to win 21 consecutive games thanks in part to Jacobi’s 19.5 points, 5 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. That’s when so many people, myself included, first learned about the multi-dimensional 1-guard.
However, what so many of us didn’t see was the grind to get there. The gym workouts every single day of the off season, the countless hours in the weight room, the thousands of miles traveled with his AAU team (WHBH), and the heartache of losing a brother.
The devastating loss of a sibling is more than anyone should have to go through at such a young age. In Jacobi’s words, “Losing my brother has been the toughest obstacle I’ve had to overcome. I feel that it has caused my family to come closer together and be more centered. Dealing with this loss is something I go through every day.”
On a near daily basis you can find an inspirational religious or spiritual quote on Jacobi’s social media. “My faith is the biggest part in my walk of life. I feel like being a positive light in the world is what is needed around here. I want people to see my faith in God first, before they see my talents.”
Those talents he speaks of have caught the eyes of dozens of college recruiters across the country. Jacksonville State, UTC, James Madison, Lipscomb, Georgia, MTSU, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Illinois just to name a few. But to the dismay of so many other programs, Jacobi has already committed to Belmont.
The Bruins of Belmont are a mid-major powerhouse. Eleven of the last 13 seasons the Bruins have played in either the NIT or NCAA Tournament. Jacobi says, “Education wise, basketball wise, and just in a school (Belmont) is all you look for in a college. I just feel I will do my best at this position and I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.”
Notice that education was the first thing Jacobi brought up when discussing his choice in colleges. His passion for Math is leading him towards majoring in Accounting, and he’s quick to give credit to his favorite teacher Mrs. Capps. His favorite course, you guessed it, Physics.
This upcoming season Jacobi has his work cut out for him, another challenging schedule, except this time with heightened expectations. Luckily, he has the guidance of Cleveland’s Coach Reggie Tucker who was recently promoted to head coach after nine seasons as an assistant coach.
Reggie Tucker can relate to Jacobi. Reggie set the record for single-game assists, and single-season assists at Cleveland in the early 90’s before playing collegiately at Hiwassee and LSU and eventually pro ball. “Coach Reg and myself both being point guards brings us together and makes us see certain areas of the game the same way,” Jacobi pointed out.
As for now, when Jacobi isn’t putting in work on the court or in the classroom, you can find him spending time with family, friends, and playing in PS4. Cleveland’s season starts in late November, and it’s worth the trip to see the point guard prodigy in person before he’s on television next March. It will be another blue moon until we see another player like this in our galaxy.
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Pat Benson has been a sideline reporter, P.A. announcer, and radio personality. Tweet him @Pat_Benson_Jr.
Jacobi Wood