Senior business major and point guard Jake Maestranzi was recently honored as the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) men’s basketball player of the week for the second week in a row. Maestranzi took home the title for the weeks of Dec. 19 and Jan. 3, making him the last player of the week in 2016 and the first of the new year.
Over break, Maestranzi procured the title by helping the Beavers secure a 90-70 victory over Fontbonne University. Maestranzi scored 19 points and had a season high of eight assists. Maestranzi followed this up by helping the Beavers defeat conference arch-nemesis MacMurray. He also scored 13 points, had eight assists and four steals. “It’s always nice to be recognized,” said a humble Maestranzi, “but [what] our team likes to say is that individual success comes with team success. I never would’ve been considered if it wasn’t for my team.”
Maestranzi is guarded by two Greenville Panthers in the game on Jan. 19
Maestranzi has played basketball for nearly his entire life. “I started playing travel ball when I was five or six years old. I learned to love the game pretty fast,” said Maestranzi. He played basketball through middle school and into high school. Maestranzi played for South Elgin high school for three years and then transferred to Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, Illinois, his senior year. During this time, Maestranzi recalls his favorite basketball moments. “South Elgin won sectionals while I was there. After that, I transferred to Notre Dame and then they won sectionals,” said Maestranzi with a smile. “I guess I’m lucky.”
At 5-foot-9 Maestranzi is not the tallest on the team, but he still manages to make some impressive plays. He believes his success is not due to natural talent, but his work ethic and the effort exerted by those around him. “If you wanna be a good basketball player you gotta hit the gym and get stronger,” said Maestranzi, “I’ve been constantly in the weight room. My dad has helped me alot and my coach and my teammates help push me in practice.
Head coach Steve Kollar was particularly instrumental in Maestranzi’s training. “If I had to pick a coach that helped me the most, it has to be Coach Kollar,” he said. “He helped me find Blackburn in the first place. He’s a great coach, we have a really good relationship. He definitely pushes me everyday and helps me be the best player I can be.”