There is something to be said about a player elevating his game from one season to the next, especially as dramatic as a jump that 2022 6’6 Jemez Herd from Olympic has taken.
Olympic is certainly a program that many are familiar with, especially with the talent they have produced as of late. Now, those players have moved on and it was time for others to step up to the challenge and take over the leadership roles. That is where Herd came in, as he was excited about the opportunity that was ahead of him.
“I feel like for me, personally, this was a really good breakout season for me, even though we didn’t win as many games as I would have liked for us to win,” he replied. “I still showcased what I can do against better competition, with things such as my athleticism, being able to finish at the rim with contact, and defending different guard spots. I feel as if I showcased more than what I normally did last year.”
That he did, as he improved from his sophomore season in which he averaged 1.5 points to now as a junior, in a short season, posting numbers like 16.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
When you look at how he attacks, Herd uses his size well and loves to slash and attack. Any time he gets a rebound, he can push it up the floor and look to attack to score or set up others. With his long frame, he uses it well inside but also operates well in others.
Recruitment hasn’t taken off yet for Herd and it may just take time, as Herd says he is staying humble and just continuing to better himself. With his improvement and what he has shown in a small sample size, the junior prospect could be an intriguing one to watch this summer.