"We used to do fake commitments": Northwestern signee Jake West reminisces about playing on an outdoor court and simulating recruitment scenarios

By Oluwajoba

Modified Dec 05, 2024 23:58 GMT

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Northwestern signee Jake West used to imagine his current situation while he was growing up. The three-star recruit, a point guard from William Penn Charter in Philadelphia, said he played out recruiting scenarios in his head as a child dreaming of playing college basketball.

“First, this is where I’d be going late at night when I got to get some work in. The light is on 24/7. It’s got a cool little scenery, so you know I can come here whenever you know,” West said in a Nov. 12 interview on the MADE Hoops YouTube channel (Timestamp: 3:13).

“You know I’m a little down, you know my shot didn’t fall at the game. Come over here after the game, shots up. So, it’s just a good environment. You know, just to clear my mind and just do what I love to do.

“Oh, yeah, we used to do fake commitments. I had Kentucky, but I ultimately decided with, you know, best fit for me.”

Jake West’s rising profile

Jake West may not be a five-star recruit in the Class of 2005, but he is one of the most popular players in the class. The 6-foot-3 point guard is active on social media with over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and over 240,000 on Instagram.

As for his basketball, West is ranked 81st in the 2025 Class by ESPN. His game improved over the summer, when he averaged 14 points and four assists per game with Team Final on the Nike EYBL circuit.

According to On3, West is a deft shooter, with touch extending well beyond the 3-point arc with his feet set or coming off movement. He has a consistent release and a rhythmic shot load, and he finds his balance points to square his shoulders.

This season, he is averaging 16.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for Penn Charter. He is ranked the No. 3 overall player in Pennsylvania and the No. 18 point guard by On3.