Jarriesse Blackmon has gone from an unrefined athlete to one of the best basketball players in Utah.
File photo by Dave Argyle
Once
Jarriesse Blackmon was told he couldn't make it as a high school basketball player, it lit a fire under him.
Blackmon took up basketball before high school simply because his older brother, Johnny, played the sport. He loved watching him play and Blackmon was looking for a way to emulate his older brother. Football was his first sport at the time and his basketball skill set was raw.
Blackmon harbored dreams of starring for
Layton just like his brother. When he shared these goals with his first basketball coach, Blackmon was promptly told he couldn't make the high school team.
He told his father, Johnny Sr., who had been a high school star in football and basketball growing up. Blackmon didn't get mad. Instead, his father helped him lay out a road map to reach his goal.
"I went to my father and told him what was told to me that day," Blackmon said. "He said to me, 'Hey, let's prove them wrong. Let's work hard. Let's get in the gym and turn yourself from a football player into a basketball player.' I don't think any of this is possible without what he's been able to do for me."
Jarriesse Blackmon, Layton
Photo by Dave Argyle
Blackmon did not just become a basketball player. The 6-foot-7 forward transformed himself into one of the best players in Utah.
He leads Layton in both scoring (17.1 points per game) and rebounding (10.2 rebounds per game) as a senior. It marks the second-consecutive year Blackmon has led the Lancers in both categories. During a breakout junior season, he averaged 16.3 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
His play has helped Layton win 10 consecutive games after a 1-5 start. The Lancers are in first place in Region 1.
"I've played here all four years," Blackmon said. "To be honest, I've never played with a team with so much potential. I've played for good Layton teams. Year in and year out we've always had really good teams. But we've finally figured it out this year. We should be competing for a state championship."
It's a safe bet Layton would not be in the Class 5A championship conversation without Blackmon leading the way. He does a little bit of everything on both ends of the court and his play has offered a steady compass to guide the Lancers to success.
Blackmon's high basketball IQ stands out most to Layton coach Kelby Miller. The senior has developed a sixth sense for making the right plays at the right time.
"I'm going to go on record to say he's probably the best athlete in the state," Miller said. "He's definitely one of those types of guys where he can get to the basket if we need it. He can post up if we need it. He can grab a rebound if we need it. He's definitely a young man who plays above the rim, which you don't see that a whole lot here."
Blackmon has made remarkable strides in each of his seasons with the Lancers. When he made the varsity team as a freshman, Blackmon was athletic and could block shots but his offensive game was not very developed.
That began to change as a sophomore. He added a consistent mid-range jumper in his second season. By his junior season, he had elevated his ballhandling skills. As a senior, he's lengthened his shooting range and become more of a 3-point threat.
It has turned dealing with Blackmon on defense into a nightmare for most coaches. His height gives him an advantage over most guards. His quickness in getting to the rim, coupled with his ability to step back and hit a jumper, makes him a tough matchup for forwards.
This is the sort of scenario Blackmon was driven to create long ago when told he couldn't make it.
"Jarriesse is definitely one of those types of guys who rises to the occasion," Miller said. "There's always going to be doubters and haters in the world. He kind of thrives off of that environment."
Now Blackmon is in the position his older brother once occupied. He plans to play basketball for UC Santa Barbara after he graduates and is now serving as a mentor to his younger brother
Julian Blackmon, who is Layton's point guard. Blackmon sees great potential in him – just like he did in himself at that age.
"I just try to tell him to keep his head up," Blackmon said. "He's a great guard for us. He's a great vocal leader and he brings a lot to the game. Not only that, but he's my little brother. I love him to death."
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can reach him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports
