Bellarmine standout chooses Richmond
The boys basketball season has been over for more than a month, but the recruiting season for the area’s elite ended Friday with the commitment by Bellarmine guard Jake Wojcik to the University of Richmond.
The two-time West Catholic Athletic League Player of the Year — he was co-MVP as a junior with St. Francis’ Logan Johnson — had committed to Siena in the winter but reopened his recruitment last month after the resignation of Saints head coach Jimmy Patsos.
Wojcik, a 6-foot-4 guard considered the best pure shooter in Bellarmine history, is the son of former San Jose State coach Dave Wojcik, who spent most of his coaching career on the East Coast.
The younger Wojcik vowed to his family, who mostly live in the East, he would give them a chance to watch him play. After a whirlwind trip to Virginia, starting on Wednesday, and his commitment Friday, he kept his promise.
“I made a connection here the minute I got off the plane,” Jake said by phone Friday night. “The coaching staff, the players — we hit it off right away.”
Wojcik made quite an impression in his four years at Bellarmine, the last two as the WCAL’s best player for the
outright league champions.
It was the first time the Bells had won back-to-back outright titles. Wojcik averaged a teambest 17 points per game as a senior, and led Bellarmine to a combined record of 49-7 over the last two seasons.
Bellarmine coach Patrick Schneider thinks Wojcik’s make-up and skill set give him a good chance to contribute at Richmond right away.
“His lasting impact here was his fierce competitive nature that defined his game,” Schneider said. “His relentless work ethic set the tone for constant improvement. He also instilled calm and courage in his teammates. That poise, skill set and competitiveness will be a great fit at Richmond.”
Wojcik could be one of seven freshmen on the Spiders next season.
There were three freshmen who redshirted last season during a 12-20 season, and Wojcik is one of three Class of 2018 recruits. There is one
more scholarship spot open for coach Chris Mooney, who has gone 237-195 in 13 seasons.
Playing out of the Atlantic 10, the Spiders made the NCAA tournament in 2010 and 2011, when they went a combined 55-17. They reached the Sweet 16 in 2011.
“It’s such a relief to get this process off my shoulders,” Wojcik said. “This feels like such a great fit. And to play in front of all my family back here for the first time is awesome.”
Two other All-Metro standouts — Wojcik’s Bellarmine teammate Kendall Stubblefield (UC Riverside) and Metro Player of the Year James Akinjo of Salesian-Richmond(Georgetown) — also made recent commitments.
Stubblefield, the 6-6, 220pound son of former 49ers defender Dana Stubblefield, averaged 15.4 points and 7.2 rebounds for the Bells in 201718.
Akinjo, like Wojcik, landed on his feet after his future college coach, Connecticut’s Kevin Ollie, left the program. Akinjo was granted a release from his letter of intent, then was wooed by several top programs, including Arizona and Wichita State, before committing to Patrick Ewing at Georgetown.
A top-100 recruit from the Class of 2018, the 6-foot-1 Akinjo averaged 20.7 points, 5.2 assists, 3.1 assists and 2 steals a game for the 30-2 Pride.
A four-year starter, he is expected to contribute immediately to the Hoyas, who went 15-15 (5-13 in the Big East) in Ewing’s initial season.
“James felt an instant connection with coach Ewing, and I’m sure that had something to do with his decision,” Salesian coach Bill Mellis said. “It’s a good fit and obviously a good school. When he went on his visit, he loved it.”