Photo by: Ben Solomon
2019-20 Preview Series: D.C. Pride Comes to Boston College
October 31, 2019 | Men's Basketball, #ForBoston Files
Jay Heath is a proven winner in one of the richest basketball territories in America
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- When it comes to mining basketball talent, no region is considered richer in resources than the DMV region around Washington, D.C. Its alumni are among some of the greatest to play the game, from Spingarn High School's Elgin Baylor to DeMatha Catholic's Adrian Dantley. It's where Kevin Durant played before he was ever an NBA champion, and it's the hometown of Walt Williams.
Its traditions run deep as an old school kind of place, and courts in the region still hum with its traditionally tough, rugged style of play. The D.C. high school hoops scene is arguably the best in the nation and it's why Boston College might just have found a potential game changer in guard Jay Heath.
"Jay is a guy that people will fall in love with," head coach Jim Christian said. "He gets genuinely excited whenever he makes a good play. His personality is infectious. He has joy and enthusiasm to play basketball. There's a love of the game where he just wants to win games."
Heath should enjoy winning because he did plenty of it in high school. As the starting shooting guard for Woodrow Wilson H.S., he led the District-based program to two consecutive straight DCIAA Championships and back-to-back appearances in the DCSAA title game. The DCIAA is the public school league and the DCSAA features all schools in all divisions.
In 2018, a then-junior Heath won MVP honors as Wilson completed a DCSAA Championship season by defeating St. John's College H.S., capping a 33-9 record. The next year, the Heath-led Wilson squad almost completed a repeat if not for on a buzzer-beater shot by Sidwell Friends in the championship game. His performance earned him two DCIAA First Team All-City selections, and both the USA Today and Washington Post named him to their All-D.C. and All-Met First Teams last year.
It made him a recruit with substantial upside in a deep position. ESPN.com ranked him as the No. 2 player in Washington, D.C., but the inexact science of recruiting rankings tabbed him as only the No. 32 shooting guard nationally after drawing three stars from 247sports.com. He drew attention from a number of power programs, but it created an edge because his performance was capable of overshadowing more heralded recruits. After watching Boston College and seeing the potential to star in the backcourt with fellow D.C. native Wynston Tabbs, Heath made his decision to commit to Chestnut Hill.
"Boston College is under the radar and underrated," Heath said. "I feel like I'm an underrated player. It made me feel like I was a good fit here. I really like our coaches and the school, especially the academic piece. This is really just the right place for me."
It gives BC a unique perspective from a freshman who has a proven championship pedigree. Heath was an all-around threat for the Tigers in high school and his ability to distribute made him incredibly unique despite being listed as a shooting guard.Â
The numbers supported the theory. He averaged 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals as a senior at Wilson. He excelled in the 2019 Capital Classic All-Star game by scoring 10 points and feeding seven assists. It's all part of a master plan that's consumed by a desire to win, along with the understanding that the team succeeds by harnessing individuals.
"(Winning) taught me that we had to play as a team," Heath said. "Nobody can play for themselves and win a championship. It's about making the next pass on offense and it's about playing team defense, not individual defense. I feel like I can carry that over to the team this year, and I think this is a team that can do something special."
It's a mentality, attitude and passion forged and fostered from the District. Washington, D.C. is a region built by basketbal, and the best of the best often rise to the top in the nation's capital city. It's a city known for producing players with a unique combination of toughness and a natural elation and understanding of how to play the game. It's now an intricate part of the BC program, led by another guard coming out of the shadow of the Capitol dome.
"D.C. is a great area," he said. "It's a great basketball city, and it's one of the best in the sport. You always know there's going to be good competition every time you're on a basketball court, and I feel like I played against some of the best challenges already. It's prepared me very, very well for coming into the ACC."
Its traditions run deep as an old school kind of place, and courts in the region still hum with its traditionally tough, rugged style of play. The D.C. high school hoops scene is arguably the best in the nation and it's why Boston College might just have found a potential game changer in guard Jay Heath.
"Jay is a guy that people will fall in love with," head coach Jim Christian said. "He gets genuinely excited whenever he makes a good play. His personality is infectious. He has joy and enthusiasm to play basketball. There's a love of the game where he just wants to win games."
Heath should enjoy winning because he did plenty of it in high school. As the starting shooting guard for Woodrow Wilson H.S., he led the District-based program to two consecutive straight DCIAA Championships and back-to-back appearances in the DCSAA title game. The DCIAA is the public school league and the DCSAA features all schools in all divisions.
In 2018, a then-junior Heath won MVP honors as Wilson completed a DCSAA Championship season by defeating St. John's College H.S., capping a 33-9 record. The next year, the Heath-led Wilson squad almost completed a repeat if not for on a buzzer-beater shot by Sidwell Friends in the championship game. His performance earned him two DCIAA First Team All-City selections, and both the USA Today and Washington Post named him to their All-D.C. and All-Met First Teams last year.
It made him a recruit with substantial upside in a deep position. ESPN.com ranked him as the No. 2 player in Washington, D.C., but the inexact science of recruiting rankings tabbed him as only the No. 32 shooting guard nationally after drawing three stars from 247sports.com. He drew attention from a number of power programs, but it created an edge because his performance was capable of overshadowing more heralded recruits. After watching Boston College and seeing the potential to star in the backcourt with fellow D.C. native Wynston Tabbs, Heath made his decision to commit to Chestnut Hill.
"Boston College is under the radar and underrated," Heath said. "I feel like I'm an underrated player. It made me feel like I was a good fit here. I really like our coaches and the school, especially the academic piece. This is really just the right place for me."
It gives BC a unique perspective from a freshman who has a proven championship pedigree. Heath was an all-around threat for the Tigers in high school and his ability to distribute made him incredibly unique despite being listed as a shooting guard.Â
The numbers supported the theory. He averaged 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals as a senior at Wilson. He excelled in the 2019 Capital Classic All-Star game by scoring 10 points and feeding seven assists. It's all part of a master plan that's consumed by a desire to win, along with the understanding that the team succeeds by harnessing individuals.
"(Winning) taught me that we had to play as a team," Heath said. "Nobody can play for themselves and win a championship. It's about making the next pass on offense and it's about playing team defense, not individual defense. I feel like I can carry that over to the team this year, and I think this is a team that can do something special."
It's a mentality, attitude and passion forged and fostered from the District. Washington, D.C. is a region built by basketbal, and the best of the best often rise to the top in the nation's capital city. It's a city known for producing players with a unique combination of toughness and a natural elation and understanding of how to play the game. It's now an intricate part of the BC program, led by another guard coming out of the shadow of the Capitol dome.
"D.C. is a great area," he said. "It's a great basketball city, and it's one of the best in the sport. You always know there's going to be good competition every time you're on a basketball court, and I feel like I played against some of the best challenges already. It's prepared me very, very well for coming into the ACC."
Players Mentioned
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