Coronado player to walk on with University of Arizona basketball

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Coronado High senior basketball player Jake DesJardins had what appeared to be a tough decision to make: Walk on to one of the nation’s notable college programs, or wait for a lower-tier school to offer a scholarship.

Turns out, the decision wasn’t that difficult. DesJardins always wanted to be an Arizona Wildcat.

The 6-foot-7 forward agreed this week to become a preferred walk-on at Arizona, opting for a roster spot and great college experience over potentially receiving a scholarship elsewhere.

“I have a roster spot. I get a jersey,” he said. “I do everything all the other (players) do. I just have to pay my own tuition.”

Well, not all of the tuition.

Because he’s one of the top students in Coronado’s graduating class, DesJardins received a partial academic scholarship to Arizona.

“(Academics) opened the door for him,” Coronado coach Jeff Kaufman said. “The fact he worked so hard on the basketball court and classroom, the door would have never opened if he picked to work hard at one over the other. It’s a testament to the type of kid he is.”

When DesJardins got accepted to Arizona, he sent an email to coaches explaining he planned to attend and would be interested in walking on.

“Ten minutes later, the director of basketball operations calls to set up a phone call with an assistant coach,” DesJardins said.

A few weeks later, after taking a tour of the school and visiting with the coaching staff, DesJardins pledged to Arizona coach Sean Miller to make it official. He’d be a preferred walk-on.

DesJardins, who averaged 20 points and nine rebounds as a senior, and is a three-year letter winner, isn’t your typical practice player.

He was part of the Sun’s Super Seven preseason team and last winter led Coronado to its first Sunrise Regional title. They lost in the state championship game.

He received recruiting interest from lower-tier schools, but none were worth waiting for a scholarship offer. His heart was always with Arizona, where his mother also attended.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s amazing,” he said. “This is something you’ll eventually tell your kids about.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21