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As Jalen Quinn approached his final season in college basketball, he recognized the importance of making a lasting impact.
“I want to make it special,” Quinn expressed, determinedly. “I’ve been trying to maximize everything I can in this one year.”
Though he never averaged double-digit points during his three-season stint at Loyola Chicago, the 2022 WCIA 3 Basketball Player of the Year is now thriving at Drake. With an expanded role, he’s consistently scoring 20 points per game for the Bulldogs.
“One of the biggest keys is just trying to have fun with the game again,” Quinn shared. “It’s not that I couldn’t enjoy it at Loyola, but I felt like my time there had run its course. It was time for a new setting and a fresh start.”
After entering the transfer portal at the end of last season, Quinn connected with Drake’s first-year head coach, Eric Henderson. Despite not promising Quinn a starring role, Henderson offered the change Quinn was seeking.
“He told me before I even got here that everything is going to be earned, so that’s what it was all summer,” Quinn said. “I was just trying to work as hard as I can to earn a spot, and earn his trust and earn my teammates’ trust.”
“So dynamic, he’s got a great change of pace,” Henderson said. “He can finish around the rim.” “He’s more of a playmaker than he is, even a scorer.” “He gets his teammates involved.” “Obviously, he can put the ball in the basket, so he’s been pretty special for us.”
Quinn was back home over the winter break and surprised his old high school team with new shoes. His message for the team? Don’t take your time with the Warriors for granted.
“I just told them, just trust in these guys and you’re at a special place, a special place where the town cares about you, your teammates, these are your brothers for life,” Quinn said.
While Drake is just 12-15 on the season, Quinn takes pride in helping lay the foundation for a new era of Bulldog basketball.
“This group is getting better, and we never shy away from getting better, from learning, and Coach Henderson does a really good job of helping us do that, so does the coaching staff,” Quinn said.
Looking to finish the season strong and reap the rewards of a breakout season.
“My goal is to play professionally, and I think I’ll have a lot of success if I just finish out strong and stay focused on right now and not get too far into the future,” Quinn said.
Quinn is also sixth in the Missouri Valley with just over 3 and a half assists per game.