Jacob LaRavia has had a breakout travel season with Gametime-Thomas. It led to the 2019 forward receiving his first offer Thursday. Indiana Basketball Source caught up with LaRavia to discuss his game and recruitment.

It’s not often that a player goes from five points per game as a junior to a D2 offer and D1 interest. That’s the spot that Jacob LaRavia is in, and there are many reasons for it. First, he would have been a major scorer for most other Indiana high school teams. Lawrence Central plays the toughest schedule in the state each year, and the Bears went 16-7 last season. Second, he has made major strides with his game in a short amount of time.

“I got my confidence back,” LaRavia said of his improvement this spring. “In the high school season, I only shot like 40 3s and that’s not like me. I shoot a lot. So, I just had to get my confidence back.”

He’s playing with plenty of confidence now. LaRavia was the aggressor Wednesday night against Ohio Crossover. He set the tone by going at his opponents – driving, finishing through contact, crashing the offensive glass hard. It was a great mindset and led to tremendous production. LaRavia has been putting up huge numbers all travel season through his shooting and ability to finish around the basket.

His production is attracting the eyes of college coaches. The coach’s section was packed with small college coaches Wednesday night including Hillsdale. The Chargers saw enough to offer LaRavia Thursday morning. He has already visited the campus, so the offer comes as no major surprise.

UPDATE: Hillsdale, Indianapolis, and Southern Indiana offered LaRavia Thursday.

“A lot of D2 colleges,” LaRavia said of his current recruitment. “Miami of Ohio is starting to call then my coaches are reaching out to Southern Illinois who are starting to recruit me. Hillsdale has been hitting me up – they are probably at the top of my D2 list.”

Like most high school players, LaRavia has a goal to play D1 basketball, but he isn’t turning his back on the small colleges.

“I definitely want to go play mid to high major D1. I feel like how I’m playing right now, I can do that.”

LaRavia is a strong student – 4.3 GPA. He’s looking to major in business and sports marketing. He said that his parents will put an emphasis on academics and location although he personally wants to play at the best basketball program possible.

Jacob LaRavia is worthy of D1 attention. He’s a true 6-foot-5 and shoots it with range and consistency. He’s also a solid rebounder and help-side defender. I like how his game translates to the college small-ball systems.