— By Taylor Kennedy
Former Musselman forward Jake Stephens continues to make a name for himself at Virginia Military Institute.
Stephens’ numbers have improved as he slowly closes this chapter in his basketball career. The 6-foot-11 Stephens, a Bunker Hill native and former Musselman High standout, is averaging nearly 16 points per game on 49 percent shooting, both of which are career highs.
“A lot of people will call me crazy, but I do not think I have played my best basketball,” Stephens said. “I think there are things yet to be proved to get where I want to be. I do not think I have put together a complete game. I think the skies are the limit.”
Stephens, a senior, is aware he’s displayed growth despite believing he has not pieced together a complete game.
“I think I am shooting the three more consistently,” stated Stephens, who is shooting 42 percent beyond the arc this season. “I think I can do better. I am unsure about the numbers, but finishing around the rim is another area. Continuing to be confident with that.”
For Stephens, getting to a first or second-team All-Southern Conference level likely requires becoming more consistent at finishing near the basket.
“At the end of the day, it is going to come down to finishing around the rim,” stated Stephens, a third-team All-Southern Conference forward last season. “I am not saying I cannot do that, but I am going to see different coverages this season. Finishing the easy ones around the rim and making the right reads will be necessary. Continuing to make those reads will be big.”
Stephens became the 43rd Keydet to eclipse 1,000 career points on December 11 in a win over Gardner-Webb. He needed 20 points heading into the game and finished with 28 points. Stephens gives credit to his former and current teammates and coaches for helping him reach that milestone.
“I am extremely humbled and grateful,” Stephens noted. “I have had so many great teammates and coaches to help me along the way. That was one of my big goals coming in as a freshman. You are never quite sure if you are going to reach those goals, but it was awesome seeing that come to fruition.
“I cannot imagine the number of assists people have thrown me.”
He needed 20 points coming in to today… he finished with 28 ?
Oh, and 16 rebounds. Jake Stephens ???#RahVaMil pic.twitter.com/JDNxAL46ey
— VMI Basketball (@VMI_Basketball) December 11, 2021
In addition to being second on VMI in scoring, Stephens leads the team with an average of 8.2 rebounds and has a team-high 37 assists and 27 blocked shots. The Keydets (7-5) were supposed to face Hampton on Wednesday, but the contest was canceled due to recent surges in COVID-19 within the Pirates’ program. This is the first cancellation this season for VMI.
Stephens will remain cautious as he heads home for the holidays.
“First thing that comes to mind is staying safe and much distance away from people,” Stephens noted. “It is tough around the holidays because you want to go home and see family and friends. In some cases that is not the best idea. Masking up and being super diligent this time of year is important. If you go down, that is four games you will miss, which is two weeks.”
The Keydets had eight games canceled or postponed last season. Stephens is trying to cope with what is happening around him and the country.
“It is tough, especially with what happened last season,” Stephens said. “You go on road trips, and you go from having a couple of roommates with you to none at all. You have a bad game, and you have no one to talk about it with. You sit there in silence thinking about the game.
“We have been thankful so far to have a normal season so far. We have had fans back, which is huge. I find comfort in calling my parents, grandparents, and brothers. I try to stay connected with them because they certainly help me.”