Jake Stokker is taking his evolving skills to the UBC-O Heat men含羞草研究社檚 basketball team.

Once Stokker, named an all-star during the 4A Okanagan Valley senior boys basketball championship, met with Heat coach Pete Guarasci, he knew it was the right place to continue playing.

含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 really excited to see my development,含羞草研究社� said Stokker.

After a slow start, Stokker realized he needed to pick up his aggressiveness. Over the course of the season, it got better and by season含羞草研究社檚 end, he knew he was giving the Lakers everything he had. He led them in every statistical category. Stokker also knew he had to change his approach a bit. Last year he shot more and didn含羞草研究社檛 attack the rim. He added that and strength to his package over the summer, which helped him be successful in that area. This spring/summer, Stokker is returning to the Junior Heat program as an overager and plans to continue playing with an aggressive style.

含羞草研究社淣ext year I won含羞草研究社檛 be able to get to the hoop as easy,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檒l definitely have to improve that part of my game. Playing with men, it含羞草研究社檚 a totally different game.含羞草研究社�

Stokker is confident he will continue developing properly because he is a hard worker and trusts the process.

Guarasci said Stokker is a good, character kid, who is also focused. Athletically, listed at six-foot-four, the coach likes his size and aggressiveness.

含羞草研究社淗e含羞草研究社檚 got a decent skillset. I含羞草研究社檓 not sure what position he is going to play at this point, but I feel like he will find his niche, his spot on the court,含羞草研究社� said Guarasci. 含羞草研究社淚 think he has to make the transition just like any other high school athlete to be at the level. He含羞草研究社檚 going to continue to get stronger. That makes the jump so much easier. It含羞草研究社檚 finding how your game will fit at the next level. What you can do to be effective.含羞草研究社�

Guarasci said recruiting Okanagan Valley players is very important, especially for local athletes to know the Heat program is one they can come to and develop.

含羞草研究社淭o be competitive at the university level, you need to recruit nationally and sometimes internationally,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淎dding local players to provide depth and consistency. That含羞草研究社檚 very important.含羞草研究社�

What sold Stokker, a future Pen High grad, to head to Kelowna next fall is the proximity, allowing his parents to watch him, as well as the education and the group of players he will play with.