Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Jalen Tucker

Nothing has ever come easy to senior Jalen Tucker. As a baby, he was born at 23 weeks weighing just 1 pound 11 ounces and had to spend 4 months in the hospital. As a junior on last year's basketball team, he averaged just 2.4 ppg, playing sparing minutes. Standing 6'4, 180lbs as a senior, Jalen has grown into an expanded, unselfish role for the Wolves, something that speaks volumes to the person he has always been and the person he is becoming, which is why he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Meeting Jalen for the first time, the athletic senior comes off as soft-spoken, but self-assured and confident about not only his game on the court but his capacity to grow as a person. "Jalen's compassion and respect for others are his biggest strengths as a person," says Jaratio and Michelle Tucker, Jalen's parents. They go on to add, "[Jalen] dedicates and focuses himself on reaching all of the goals he has set for himself."

Jalen cannot remember a time in his life when basketball was not a part of it. "I just fell in love with the sport," says Jalen. Jaratito and Michelle see that passion every time Jalen takes the court, saying, "His biggest strengths as a basketball player are his enthusiasm and excitement for the love of basketball." They go on to add, "Jalen leads by example and is a team player. He wants success for everyone on the team; not just himself."

No one understands how much Jalen has meant to his teammates, nor how much his expanded role has been earned, not given, then head coach Ryan Velasquez.

"Jalen has a great rapport with his teammates," says Ryan. He goes on to add, "Jalen has an expanded role this season and has shown he can not only defend, but he is also able to score the ball in a variety of ways. If you were to see a practice you would see Jalen consistently pushing his teammates to be the best they can be. Jalen not only leads by example but is also one of our most vocal players on the court."

On the season, Jalen is averaging 10.2 ppg and 78% from the free-throw line, helping his team to a 14-6 overall record. Jalen's best game was against crosstown rival Oswego where he led the team with 16 points. But it is not just Jalen's points and defensive efforts that have helped the Wolves, but also the nature of the way he plays the game.

"Jalen plays very unselfish on the basketball court," says Ryan. He goes on to add, "You will always hear him talking on defense, diving on the floor, taking charges, and making the extra pass. These are all selfless acts that make our team better."

Selflessness is one of the many adjectives used to describe Jalen as not only a basketball player but also a person. Jalen's passion outside of basketball is in arts, with Jaratio and Michelle saying, "As a kid, Jalen always loved drawing and graphics."

Hoping to make it his major in college, his Graphic Design teacher Lisa Cook has not only had the opportunity to witness Jalen grow as an artist and a person but has also witnessed Jalen's selflessness on full display.

"One of the things that stands out most with Jalen has been his growth and improvement," says Lisa. She goes on to add, "I credit this to his work ethic and ability to put in the effort necessary to succeed. His current project, a children's book, is one of my favorite things he has created in his high school career. He is making an alphabet book for his little cousin, with pictures for every letter of the alphabet that relates to his cousin in some way. He has been super diligent in getting all that he needs to make it work, and it is turning out so well!"

Jalen is undecided about what college he will attend, but he knows Graphic Design will be in his future and is hopeful basketball will be as well. "Jalen will have a bright future in basketball at the collegiate level," says Ryan. He continues by adding, "Whatever college Jalen decides to play basketball at, he will make a great addition."

Regardless of what school is fortunate enough to land Jalen, there is little doubt he will find success both on and off the court. As someone who has found growth as an athlete, student, and person, Jalen advises future Wolves too, "Take your time, stay focused, understand school comes first, and be responsible for yourself." As the Wolves push into the second half of the season and amid a grueling conference schedule, Jalen's leadership will help the team keep their focus so they can reach their ultimate goal of the school's first trip downstate.