Jamar becoming a more complete player

Kevin Scarpati
section sports staff writer

Entering the season, Westchester guard Kareem Jamar had one knock on his game- he couldn’t shoot. But after being selected as the best shooter at the Westchester Tip-Off Classic earlier this season, Jamar seems to have put the concerns about his outside game to rest.

“He’s really been shooting the ball well this season,” Comets’ coach Ed Azzam said about Jamar.

A two-star athlete on Rivals.com, Jamar seems to have remedied scouts’ greatest concern, and a bump in the rankings could be in order. He’s made a solid verbal commitment to Montana, a commitment that could change if Jamar continues his meteoric rise as bigger schools are bound to be interested.

Jamar’s stock rose even more this season when injuries in the Comets’ backcourt forced the senior into the point guard position.

“Jamar’s a big guard who can rebound,” Azzam said. “He really stepped up his game this year and played the one for us when we needed it. Colleges like the fact that he’s had exposure to both positions.”

Scouting Jamar

Jamar is regarded as one of the top wing players in Southern California. While he doesn’t possess elite height (he’s 6-foot-5) Jamar has long arms and is a very good leaper and finisher around the basket.

Jamar’s size and athleticism also make the senior an excellent on-ball defender, as Jamar is able to effectively guard three positions.

Starting right away?

If Jamar does end up signing with the Grizzlies, he’ll be joined by Serra of Gardena star point guard Vaughn Autry to form what could end up being the future starting backcourt for Montana.

With top guards Anthony Johnson and Ryan Staudacher due to graduate, that future could end up being sooner rather than later. Azzam thinks the experience his player has garnered playing as the top team in California will help Jamar in the future.

“The teams we play, the competition we’ll face in CIF and hopefully in the state playoffs will help our guys compete at the next level, there’s no question,” Azzam said.