2021 Jacobi Wright from Legacy Early College has been a name around the area for college coaches and high school basketball fans, putting on a show on multiple occasions.
Wright pulled out his full arsenal at the Battle of the Rock early this year and continued to improve in areas of his game that has now pushed his recruitment to another level.
Last week, Wright secured his Power-5 offer, an offer from the SEC. South Carolina and the coaching staff have developed a nice relationship with Wright and the offer certainly ranks high in his mind.
Phenom Hoops reached out to Wright to learn more about his thoughts about the offer from the Gamecocks, what it meant to him, and who else is pushing hard in his recruitment.
How did your season go overall for you in your eyes and what were you able to show on the court with your game?
Wright: My season went great, I gained a lot of experience on the national level this year, playing against great competition. My mindset was to just prove myself in every game I played in, to dominate my opponent and to obviously win the game.
What was it like playing that level, traveling, and playing that type of competition?
Wright: Playing at that level, it’s best for me. It prepared me for the college level and it gets me used to the college level with the travels and competition.
You were able to showcase your ability to score the ball and be a leader this season. How important is that to you with your game?
Wright: It is very important to me because as the point guard, one of the main attributes that I need is to run and lead the team. Scoring is always good, it always good to be able to score the ball but to be able to lead a team and put others in the right position is just as good as well.
What steps in your development did you take in growing your game from the start of the season to today?
Wright: My assist to turnover ratio improved over the season. Once you watch the film, you can see where you make mistakes and improve on them. Leadership improved as well. I always work on my skill work also.
Recruitment has been going pretty well. You earned an offer from South Carolina recently. How big of an offer was that for you and what were your first thoughts after receiving it?
Wright: It was a big offer; I was really excited when I received it. It is a pretty big school and it just felt great.
This is your first SEC offer. How did that whole conversation go with Coach Frank when he offered and what did he have to say?
Wright: He was just telling me what he needed in my class. That I would be coming in and that I would be a great fit for what he was losing that year. I would be great in that system.
How long has that relationship been going on with you and the coaching staff at South Carolina?
Wright: The first time I started to build a relationship with Coach Frank was when he came to my school. He came to a practice and I made a pretty good impression on him and we have been in touch since then. I have been able to make visits to the school and continue to build on that relationship. Since everything has been slowing down lately, we have had a chance to learn more about the school.
When did you take visits to South Carolina?
Wright: I went to the game vs. LSU and another time during football season; that was my first visit.
Being familiar with the program now, what stands out about the program?
Wright: Just the family environment. It is just not about basketball; the coaches and players have a family atmosphere and that is big for me when choosing a school. I want to be somewhere where I can be comfortable and I feel like they do that.
Other schools like Charlotte, DePaul, Winthrop, and more have offered. Who have you been keeping in touch with?
Wright: Winthrop contacts me a lot and Charlotte as well. DePaul has been picking up as well.
What have those three schools been saying to you when they are communicating with you?
Wright: Mostly just they tell me how badly they want me and need me on the team for my class. More things about the schools and continuing to build a relationship with coaches. They are big on that.
Would those be the schools that you would say, outside of USC, that have been developing the strongest relationship with you?
Wright: Winthrop definitely, they probably contact me the most outside of South Carolina. Those coaches really put in the effort to build a bond with me.
What does that mean to you?
Wright: It means a lot because it shows that I’m wanted.
What other schools have you been able to visit?
Wright: I’ve visited Clemson. Pretty much any local school that has offered.
What other schools have been showing interest but have yet to offer?
Wright: South Florida has been picking up in the last two weeks. St. John’s as well lately and also Vanderbilt.
Anything intrigue you about those schools if an offer came on the table?
Wright: USF really pushes location a lot and I have built a good relationship with the coaching staff there. They talk about how they want to see me play. St. John’s has been watching film and they have been staying in touch with my team. Vanderbilt is a little newer and there hasn’t been too much yet.
Are there any schools that you want to visit?
Wright: Possibly South Florida, any other school that offers… possibly Vanderbilt
What are some key factors that will go into your recruitment in the end?
Wright: Information about the team, what their needs and how I can fit in. How their coaches’ coach and how past players have done. My goals are to go pro and I want to see how their past player has done if they have developed them.