LaLumiere's Jakolis commits to Valpo

Updated: March 23, 2011 3:52PM

Valparaiso didn't have to travel very far to find its latest international recruit.

LaLumiere swingman Dino Jakolis has verbally committed to play for Valparaiso next fall. The 6-7, 215-pounder hails from Croatia, and averaged 12.4 points and four rebounds per game in his senior season - his only season - at the LaPorte prep school.

"He's very versatile, does a good job of driving and can make a lot of shots," said LaLumiere coach Alan Huss. "He's long and has a pretty good baseline athleticism to him. He's very skilled."

Jakolis came to LaLumiere from Split, Croatia, the same hometown as current VU center Hrvoje Vucic, as well as former VU player Ivan Vujic and former Chicago Bulls forward Toni Kukoc. He played on the Croatian national Under-18 team before coming to the United States.

Huss said Jakolis also was being recruited by Northwestern, Marquette and LaSalle, among others.

Jakolis joins 6-8 junior college transfer Richie Edwards and Virginia Tech transfer Ben Boggs (a guard) as newcomers to the Crusaders' roster next season. Valparaiso coach Homer Drew has one remaining scholarship (possibly two, if Brandon Wood leaves school early to pursue a pro career) available for next season, with the Crusaders likely in the market for a big man with Cory Johnson graduating.

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