2018 forward Jal Bijiek commits to Tulsa Basketball

2018 forward Jal Bijiek saw his recruiting process explode after deciding to attend a year of prep school, and it paid off with a bevy of high-major scholarship offers and ultimately a commitment to Tulsa.

At 6-foot-8 and 190 pounds, Bijiek led Des Moines (Iowa) North to the state playoffs as a senior last season. It was the school's first post-season appearance in 26 years.

Despite playing with an injury most of the season, Bijiek still averaged 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game on 52.8 percent shooting. However, recruiting never picked up, and he ended the season with offers from Southeast Missouri State and North Dakota.

"Athletically, he’s special at 100 percent," North coach Chad Ryan told the Des Moines Register in July. "I think if Jal would’ve been 100 percent, he would’ve played a little better — and he already played great for us. But if he would’ve been 100 percent, yeah, things might’ve looked a little different for him."

That led to Bijiek's decision to attend prep school, and after healing a torn meniscus, he played with Creating Young Minds out of Texas during the summer. He made the all-tournament team at the Dallas Battleground event and the scholarship offers began to roll in.

Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Wichita State, LSU and several other college programs offered scholarships and Bijiek began to make unofficial visits. However, it wasn't until he spent time on the Tulsa campus that Bijiek felt he found the right fit.

"It was the first time I've ever felt comfortable with a school and their coaching staff," Bijiek told Inside Tulsa Sports on Monday afternoon. "In regard to me growing as a student, player and most importantly as a person, Tulsa is exactly where I need to be.

"It's the first time I've ever felt that a coaching staff genuinely cared and wanted me to be a part of what they're building."

Bijiek is now enrolled at Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas, and is looking forward to improving before joining the Golden Hurricane program.

"My goals are to grow as a player and individual, and to help others from a basketball and life standpoint," said Bijiek. "There's always room to work and become a better leader.

"My strengths include shooting, defense, athleticism and knowledge of the game. I'm best in the open floor and finishing above the rim. I need to work on being more comfortable handling the ball."