After the 2023-24 season, most people remember Jordan Poole for his often mocked lowlights that appear on social media and Shaqtin’ A Fool. It’s easy to understand why; the abysmal missed layups, threes, and plays where it looks like he tries to go out of his skillset and fails at a tricky move. However, Poole is a lot more than those lowlights suggest. He didn’t even have too bad of a season.
Poole averaged 17.4 points and 4.4 assists as one of the Wizards’ best scoring options. His production became even better when he became the Wizard’s sixth man. However, as much as he’s working on his game during the offseason, Poole held a youth basketball clinic, giving back to the next generation.
Wizards Star Holds Youth Basketball Clinic
Poole isn’t used to the offseason starting as early as it did with the Wizards. Since Poole joined the NBA, he’s grown accustomed to long playoff runs with the Golden State Warriors. However, finishing with a 15-67 record ensured that there would be no playoffs or even play-in for the Wizards. With the long offseason, Poole’s had more time than normal away from basketball. After a one-month vacation in Europe, Poole came back to DC, ready to give back to the community.
For DC kids, Poole put on a one-day basketball clinic. The clinic (which was free to attend) offered kids mentorship and a chance to further develop their basketball skills. Drills include footwork, shooting, off-hand dribbling, layups, and many other skills necessary to be successful at all levels of basketball. However, one of the most important things that the campers were taught was breathing exercises. Poole’s mental performance coach, Joey Hewitt, gave the campers breathing techniques to use. As important as the basketball drills that the kids were learning were, Poole really hoped that those breathing exercises would resonate.
“I know at a young age some things resonate more than others and some things stay with you more than others. So if there is any kid who took a little bit or a little piece of that breathing to incorporate when they’re at school or at recess or in class or at AAU, that’s all I care about.”
Poole’s Future Post-Clinic
Poole’s first one-day clinic (he’s alluded to doing more in the future) took place on July 20th. As someone who grew up learning from clinics similar to the one he does now, Poole wants to give back to the community. This is why the clinic primarily targets black underprivileged youth in the DC area and was free to attend. All the campers received free Jordan Poole T-shirts. Poole spoke on this after the clinic.
“That’s just where a lot of my time as a youngin was spent. A lot of my learning, especially a lot of my summertime [learning], [was] at camps; a lot of my social interactions [was] at camps.”
This Poole is far different from the one that people see on social media. He’s using his platform and popularity to give back to the DC community and isn’t just a goofball.
His first season with the Wizards had some up-and-downs, but next year could be a different story. The Wizards drafted Alex Sarr, and even though his Summer League performances weren’t all that, there were flashes that showed the player he could be. Additionally, the Wizards’ young core is continuing to grow. Bilal Coulibaly is playing for France in the Olympics, Carlton Carrington and Kyshawn George are two promising rookies, and the team signed Jonas Valanciunas in the offseason. If Poole continues to improve his game during the offseason, the Wizards could be a fun young team to watch during this upcoming NBA season.
