Jabari Bird Salesian – Basketball

If college scouts and coaches didn’t already know about the Salesian senior, his performance at the Nike Peach Jam, part of the Elite Youth Basketball League, certainly turned a few heads. Bird, playing for the Oakland Soldiers, nailed two free throws with 1.9 seconds left in the championship giving the Soldiers a 51-50 win over the CIA Bounce on July 22.

If college scouts and coaches didn’t already know about the Salesian senior, his performance at the Nike Peach Jam, part of the Elite Youth Basketball League, certainly turned a few heads. Bird, playing for the Oakland Soldiers, nailed two free throws with 1.9 seconds left in the championship giving the Soldiers a 51-50 win over the CIA Bounce on July 22.

SportStars Magazine: How was that final play drawn up?

Jabari Bird: We called a timeout. We were down by 1. (The coaches) drew up a play on the wing so I could get a clean look. I caught a bad pass and I went up and elevated and they fouled me.

SSM: How do you prepare yourself for pressure situations like that one?

JB: I just try to stay as calm as possible. Just focus on the rim and winning the game, and thinking positive.

SSM: You play on a team with a lot of standout players like Aaron Gordon and Stanley Johnson. What’s it like playing with a bunch of all-stars?

JB: It’s a lot of fun playing with the best players in the country. Playing with these guys, it brings out the best in me.

JABARI’S QUICK HITS

Favorite athlete: LeBron James

Favorite NBA team: Warriors

Favorite class: Math

Honorable Mention

Nicolo Galletti — The foothill senior cracked the quarterfinals at the USGA Junior Amateur on July 16-21 in New Hampshire. He then qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship on July 23.

Kaitlyn Lortie — The forward and right fullback for the U17 Pleasanton Rage scored two of her teams four goals in the Pleasanton Rage College Showcase July 20-22.

Hannah Suh —The recent Evergreen Valley-San Jose picked up her third NCGA/PGANC Junior Tour event of the season on July 24-25 at Poppy Hill GC. She’s sits fourth in the point standings.