Idaho coach Don Verlin didn’t have to go very far to find his could-be point guard of the future.
Colton, Wash. point guard Jake Straughan committed to Idaho on Tuesday, just days after being extended a scholarship offer from the Vandals.
Straughan contributed 26 points and 7 assists a game to the Colton Wildcats his junior year, competing in Washington’s class 1B.
“All along I’ve been looking for the best school for me, the best fit. I felt like Idaho was that place,” Straughan told Vandal Nation. “The coaches love me, I was the no. 1 guy, they wanted me, and I felt like I wasn’t going to find that anywhere else. I couldn’t pass up that opportunity.”
Despite playing at a school with less than 100 students he garnered the interest of over 20 programs throughout the country. Oregon State, Wazzu, Utah, Boise State, Oral Roberts and Liberty among many other programs have called, texted and visited the player, according to his coach.
But Idaho was the first to extend an offer, and it was the opportunity Straughan was looking for. Although, Idaho being the first to offer wasn’t the reason behind his commitment, nor was it the proximity to his hometown he liked — it was the fit offensively and defensively, he said.
“It’s definitely nice, but it was…not a factor in why I picked Idaho. If Idaho was some other place I probably would have still committed,” he said. “(It was) definitely the coaching staff, their players, I love the coaching staff. The offense, the way they run, with my pass style.”
He said he’s been able to be on campus a little bit with some of the players on the team, scrimmaging with them, but that the following months will give him a better opportunity to get to know the guys on the team.
As the recruiting game goes he anticipates that other schools will still follow him and inquire about his availability as he gets into his AAU schedule, but he assured his commitment to Idaho.
“Right now (my recruitment) is basically closed. I’ll be in AAU the next couple of weeks, if the coaches want to watch they can, Idaho is my school and I will be signing Nov. 21,” he said.
Here are some of the other tidbits from our chat with the Vandal commit this morning:
On the relationship between his high school coach and Verlin: He actually, when I went to my official visit he came with me. It was his first time meeting the coaches, they got along very well, it was a good experience for both of them. It more came down to the place and how I liked, my coach loved it and my family loved it too but it was ultimately my decision.
On how his brother, Josh, now a quarterback at Division II Stillman college, helped his process: We’ve had some similar situations with some schools, he helped me through it all. He’s been through it all the way, he helped me when the process started. When he came back home he was really there to support me, and he really thought that I should commit.
On what he knows of Idaho from being in the area: I actually know a lot. I know Idaho is on the rise, they’re going to be a great program in the Big Sky. They’re a school that’s on the rise, and they’re going to make some noise.