Buffs center Eric Jacobsen ready for freshman season
As the Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball team inches closer to the first tip-off of the season, uncertainty remains surrounding the makeup of this squad. The frontcourt, specifically, consists of all-new faces fighting for a starting spot, including freshman Eric Jacobsen.
The 6-foot-11-inch center graduated from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, earlier this year. Unfortunately, Jacobsen’s high school career was cut short due to an ACL injury he suffered during the back half of his junior campaign. Despite being sidelined for a chunk of his time with the Bobcats, Jacobsen believes attending a prep school helped aid his transition from high school to college basketball.
“I went to prep school for my junior and senior year, so I’m kind of adjusted to the college life,” said Jacobsen on Thursday.
Before attending Brewster Academy, Jacobsen played two seasons at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game during his sophomore season with the Bears.
Jacobsen was not highly recruited out of high school, partly due to his injury, yet he had offers to play for the New Hampshire Wildcats, New Mexico Lobos and the UAB Blazers. But the decision to play for the Buffaloes was an easy one for the center.
“It felt like a family here, and it felt like a program that I could be in,” Jacobsen said.
Part of his decision stemmed from how the Buffaloes’ coaching and recruiting staff welcomes new players.
“It was everything. The coaching staff was amazing,” Jacobsen said. “When I came to visit, I got to go to coach Boyle’s house.”
Although the transition to college basketball is challenging and takes dedication to your craft, Colorado head coach Tad Boyle believes Jacobsen is approaching the process in the right way.
“Eric’s a guy that just keeps coming,” Boyle said. “He’s got a great mindset and a great toughness about him.”
Toughness is a needed characteristic for a center, especially one that plays in the most physical conference in the country, the Big 12. Facing guys like Arizona Wildcats 7-foot 2-inch center Motiejus Krivas, Iowa State Cyclones forward Blake Buchanan and Baylor Bears center Juslin Bodo Bodo requires immense physical and mental toughness.
Jacobsen might not be fully prepared to face the gauntlet of the Big 12 yet, but his impressive work ethic is something Boyle has already picked up on.
“The one thing I love about Eric, he comes every day ready to battle and compete,” Boyle said. “The future is great for Eric because he’s a hardworking guy.”
Boyle and his staff are still unsure how much Jacobsen will see the floor and what his role will be on this squad. Nonetheless, Boyle has high praise for the freshman.
“Eric is going to be a good player at Colorado before it’s all said and done,” Boyle said. “I’m hoping he can help us this year.”
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