The Northwestern Wildcats may have found themselves a new starting guard this offseason.
The Northwestern Wildcats basketball program has stability at the head coaching position with Chris Collins' feet firmly planted in Evanston, Ill. while the team itself is in a period of transition.
The Wildcats lost back-to-back Big Ten scoring champion Nick Martinelli to the NBA and now must find a new leading scorer from a talented roster that hasn't played regular season basketball together yet.
One player who figures to benefit from additional scoring opportunities is combo guard Jake West, who flashed solid talent as a freshman last season.
West acknowledged the challenges of last season while also mentioning his personal development on Tuesday, assertions echoed by Collins in a video posted to social media.
Jake West a Tone Setter, Collins Says
West has played with the confidence and force of a lead guard this offseason, turning heads among Northwestern coaches while setting the tone for his teammates.
The 6-foot-3, 170-pound sophomore-to-be has a chance to become a focal point and unifying force for a team expected to play lots of newcomers this season.
"He's really gotten in the weight room, you notice how he's playing, he's playing with more force," Collins said.
"His confidence is at a high level and when the guy with the ball has that kind of belief in himself, it sets the tone for the rest of the team," Collins added.
West finished second in assists last season among Wildcats players with 2.8 per game, 3.2 behind Jayden Reid, who transferred to Memphis.
A starting spot at point guard is looking like a possible outcome for West this season.
West: Physical Strength is a Big Focus
West said that getting stronger was a major point of emphasis for him this offseason.
He added that he is excited to get back on the court to lead the Wildcats this coming fall.
"I'm a hooper at heart so I can't wait to get back on that court," West said. "I kept my head down, worked really hard, kinda saw that growth really toward the end of the season," he continued.
"I feel like I'm a dog, that's the way I wanna play, and I don't really want to get pushed around," West said.
West has the mental makeup Collins looks for in his players and he will be one to watch this coming season in Evanston.
