Versatility will always serve Deerfield’s Jake Pollack well on the basketball court.
The 6-foot-8 sophomore forward could be pigeonholed down low, where he’ll often have a size advantage in high school.
But it’s becoming clear early in Pollack’s varsity career that he’s comfortable further from the basket, where he can showcase skills more typical in guards.
“I think I’ve settled in pretty well, and I’m lucky that my coaches believe in what I can do outside the paint,” he said. “Being on the perimeter is one of the best parts of my game. Being able to shoot and take guys off the dribble can be a difference-maker.”
Pollack has been exactly that in the first five games for the Warriors (2-3). He was named to the all-tournament team at the Grant-Mundelein Thanksgiving Tournament. He had 17 points and nine rebounds in his first game, an overtime loss to Carmel on Nov. 20, and had 18 points and seven rebounds in a road win against Mundelein two days later.
Expectations were high for Pollack coming into the season, in part because he led Deerfield in scoring during its summer games, and he was brimming with confidence following a strong AAU showing in his first year playing for the Illinois Wolves.
But Pollack’s level of production has put him on everyone’s radar as a player to watch for the long haul.
“He’s still learning on the fly, but he’s obviously really talented, and his ceiling is very high,” Deerfield coach Dan McKendrick said. “He’s like a stretch post. He can really shoot and has good range. He also can put the ball on the deck to take guys to the basket or set up teammates.”
That’s a lot, and it doesn’t even include the fact that Pollack is left-handed, which creates tough defensive matchups.
Pollack’s many skills set him up to be a significant presence as the Warriors navigate their first season in the rugged Central Suburban South. That’s especially true since 6-8 junior center Drew Rodgers suffered a torn ACL during Deerfield’s loss to Warren on Nov. 25.
Rodgers was a big part of the plans at both ends of the court, especially in the interior. So his absence affected the team, including emotionally.
“That was a really tough blow, and we were all really sad for him,” Pollack said. “He’s such a positive guy, and the fact that he can still have a smile on his face says a lot.”
It didn’t take long for Pollack to realize he’d have more on his plate with Rodgers out. One key difference is Rodgers won’t be there to draw the attention of the opponent’s biggest player.
On the flip side, Pollack’s ability to pull the other team’s primary post player away from the basket could open things up for his teammates.
“It’s definitely a mindset change for me, and a lot more of the inside stuff falls on me,” he said. “It’s on me to especially get a lot of the boards. There’s no one who’s going to do it for me, so I’ve got to be even more aggressive and have more hunger.”
Pollack isn’t lacking that, and he has plenty of confidence as well. So much so that he has even been willing to step into a leadership role.
“I’m pretty vocal, and even though I’m not one of the captains, I think I can find my own ways to lead, things like talking on defense and communicating out there,” he said. “That’s really important.”
Senior guard Charlie Robin, one of Deerfield’s three captains, appreciates Pollack not only for his talent, but also for how he has adjusted to the team’s culture.
“Something we do a good job with in our program is that no one looks at you differently, no matter what age or grade you are,” Robin said. “If someone has something to say, we all listen, and he’s been doing that.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
