Antioch senior Jason Lee is playing a different game this season.
It’s no coincidence the 6-foot-6 forward is also much more effective for the Sequoits.
“Last year, I really didn’t want to do anything with the ball,” Lee said. “I would play hot potato when the ball would come to me. I’d pass it right back immediately. I would just go for rebounds and play good defense. Now I can do anything.”
Indeed, Lee is averaging 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds for Northern Lake County Conference co-leader Antioch (5-4, 3-0), and those numbers have been increasing lately. He averaged 17.7 points over the last three games of a five-game winning streak that ended with a loss to highly regarded Benet on Dec. 21.
“Earlier in his career, he was primarily a B player who got really tall really fast and spent freshman and sophomore years growing into his body,” Antioch coach Sean Connor said. “But he invested in himself and never got down when he wasn’t playing a lot. There aren’t many kids who do that anymore.
“It wasn’t his turn yet. He was patient, and it’s paying off for him.”
Lee also came to the realization that he had to put in the work necessary to make that wait worthwhile.
“There used to be times where I didn’t want to go work out, but my dad pushed me to go, and I’m thankful for that,” he said. “I’d want to go fishing or something like that.”
The fishing diversion makes some sense. Lee is a member of Antioch’s decorated bass fishing program, which had top-10 finishes at four straight state meets from 2018 to 2022. He was on one of the team’s two top-22 boats at the state meet in the spring.
But casting a wide net in his basketball development did wonders for Lee. Among his best games this season, he had 22 points and seven rebounds during the Sequoits’ 57-49 conference win against Wauconda on Dec. 11, and he had 12 points and 11 rebounds in their 48-43 conference win against Grant three days later.
“I wasn’t very confident before in anything I did,” he said. “Now I’m much more confident in my shooting and driving, and I can finish a lot easier at the basket.”
During the offseason, Lee played on the travel circuit with Full Package, which provided a means to enhance his basketball IQ.
“That helped me make quicker decisions, and what I do on the court is now more from habit, not having to think as much,” he said.
Lee also worked out twice a week with his cousin Makai Kvamme, a Western Illinois recruit who is the starting point guard for DePaul Prep, which won a state title in each of the past two seasons.
“Him having so much success motivates me,” Lee said. “We try to talk as much as we can. He gives me advice — tells me to work hard and play my game.”
Lee’s game is well-rounded. Since his growth spurt came relatively late, he’s not far removed from being more of a perimeter-oriented player.
“He causes havoc on defense with his length and athleticism, and he’s got a great motor,” Connor said. “And he’s only scratching the surface in his basketball knowledge.”
No longer reluctant to shoot, Lee has become an adept post player, which allows the Sequoits to exploit opportunities when a smaller defender tries to check him. That’s exactly what happened during their win against Wauconda.
“He’s automatic from the post,” Antioch senior guard Teddi Wetu said. “As soon as I see him take that drop step in the paint, I start running down the court to get back on defense because I know it’s going in.
“Wherever he’s at on the floor, he puts a spark into the rest of the team. I’m really proud of the progress he’s made.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
