Strong Campaign Propels Sottos to Hawaii
Jake Sottos completed an improbable journey to the high Division I ranks this spring when he signed with the University of Hawaii.
Sottos, a 6-3 sharp-shooter from Southeastern C.C. in West Burlington, Ia., picked the Rainbows after taking spring trips to Eastern Michigan and Hawaii.
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Not bad for a kid from a Class A high school program in Illinois.
Sottos was the leading scorer on a 37-1 Blackhawk squad that won the NJCAA title in March. He averaged 16.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, knocking down treys at a 41 percent clip.
"He grew up in a small town in Illinois and had no Division I offers out of high school," recalls SCC Head Coach Joe O'Brien. "I played with his dad back in high school, and we explained to [Jake] that we thought he could become a Division I prospect after two years here."
For a while, it looked like Sottos might stay in the Midwest. Eastern Michigan jumped in the picture and Sottos took a trip to the Mid American Conference program.
Hawaii then suddenly found itself in need of backcourt depth when starting guard Carl English declared early for the NBA Draft.
"Hawaii jumped into the picture, and Jerry Mullen gave Jake a high recommendation," O'Brien said. "He's a good fit for the way they play, and they were shocked when they found out he was still available."
While Sottos might not be the sexy run/jump athlete that many coaches crave in the backcourt nowadays, he brings a unique set of skills to the Hawaii program.
"Jake is a basketball player," O'Brien said. "He was a great shooter in high school, and he got even better in junior college."
Now, he's on to his next challenge in the Western Athletic Conference.