The basketball court has always been Jared Armstrong’s go to, his place to forget everything and just play.
“As a child, basketball was my sanctuary,” said Armstrong (far right). “[The basketball court] was a place I could go no matter my mood, or current situation. It was my first love.”
The last sentence hits home the hardest for those that know Jared and how hard he works. The class of 2016 point guard has had to scratch and claw for everything he has gotten from the game of basketball, the game he loves. Armstrong’s work ethic is through the roof, as his coach Matt Dolan of Christopher Dock Menonnite would say, “Jared is the most hardworking person I have ever met in my life, he’s a fierce competitor. …More than anyone I know.”
Those are pretty strong words for any coach to say about a player, but it only speaks to how tough of a player Armstrong is and how much he truly loves the sport of basketball.
The 5’11” point guard has had a high school career full of accomplishments and success. He started in his freshman year at Christopher Dock, where he was able to help a struggling program find it’s footing. Armstrong would end up staying at Christopher Dock for his freshman, sophomore, and junior year, where he averaged over ten points per game every year. He scored his 1,000 point by his junior year, and scored over 1,400 points in his high school career. Not to mention he holds the Pennsylvania state record for most points scored in a quarter with 22.
Not only did Armstrong improve during his years at Dock, but the team did as well. During Armstrong’s tenure, the school became a legitimate contender in BAL league. His ability to make his teammates better could not have been more obvious at Christopher Dock.
Armstrong decided on going to Fork Union Military Academy for his senior year, where he would have much of the same impact on the team’s improvement like he had with Christopher Dock’s. Armstrong led Fork Union to the VISAA State Quarterfinals, which showed massive improvement from the year before when the team won only two games.
Currently enrolled at Mt. Zion Prep — a post-graduate program — in Baltimore, Armstrong is looking to compete against top competition. Mt. Zion is currently ranked No. 13 in the country, and Armstrong seemed excited about the team moving forward this year.
“I believe we arguably have one of the best back courts in the country with Ceasar Dejesus and I,” said Armstrong.
He will also be focusing on improving his strengths and weaknesses while in Baltimore.
“I compare myself to Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, and Kyle Lowry,” said Armstrong. “Bulky, crafty guard with a high IQ of the game.”
Each of the ways Armstrong describes himself is a fair assessment of his own game. His height forced him to develop a way to get to the basket and — most importantly — finish when he gets there. His strength is a huge asset, and he understands how to use it. Finishing around the basket can be a problem for most players, but Armstrong uses his body strength to gain position as he goes up against a shot blocker and be able to finish the play. His basketball intelligence is helpful, too. He knows when to set up teammates or he knows when he has to get a bucket for his team. His uncanny ability to lead a team cannot be ignored.
Armstrong would go on to say, “I believe I can do it all as a point guard. If you need a scorer, I can score, or a pass first point guard, I can do that. Anything that a coach needs me to do, I can do it.”
Armstrong has been a secret weapon on the East Coast, though. Although he played AAU basketball, most noticeably with Team Nelson and NY Gauchos, the point guard has not had the opportunities to showcase his skills in front of a bunch of college coaches at one time. That may have hurt his recruitment status, but it also gave Armstrong a chip on his shoulder that is only going to drive him to become an even better player.
He shows that chip on his shoulder through his goals, as he wants to play basketball at the highest level.
Armstrong is sitting without any major offers after unfortunate coaching changes at San Jose State and Cal Poly. He has also taken unofficial visits to Boston University and George Mason.
There are no favorites right now for Armstrong, though. He says that he, “just wants to play for a great coach that is going to help develop my game to the highest level.”
Being doubted is not a new place for Armstrong to be, though. His work ethic and love for the sport of basketball will eventually win out, just do not be surprised when it does.
