A local ‘bird’ is about to become a member of a well-known WolfPack.
Semiahmoo Thunderbird Jack Clayton has committed to the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men’s basketball team in Kamloops for the 2024-2025 season, WolfPack head coach Chad Jacobson announced in a release Wednesday (March 20).
Clayton, who played a role when the Semiahmoo Thunderbirds captured the 4A BC Boys Provincial title in 2023, also helped lead the team to a seventh-place finish at 2024 provincials – held earlier this month – by scoring 54 points in the Thunderbirds’ first two games at the tournament.
“Jack is a highly motivated and extremely dedicated athlete who brings a combination of both size and skill to our team, but more importantly is a high-character young man who will be a great fit within our program,” Jacobson said.
The South Surrey student, who graduates from Semiahmoo Secondary this year, joins the previously announced Charlie McKay and Matix Harrison as members of TRU’s recruiting class.
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“I chose to join the WolfPack over other schools because of the great culture and atmosphere around the team as well as the beautiful campus,” said Clayton in the release.
“When I came up to TRU in the fall for a workout with Coach Jacobson and Coach Magierowski, I felt immediately welcomed. Having a chance to talk with some of the players on their experiences playing for the WolfPack made my decision easy.”
Clayton suits up for both the Vancouver Sports Club as well as the Semiahmoo Thunderbirds and is a six-foot-five wing that excels on both ends of the court.
“I am a taller wing that can stretch the floor, who can play down low or pop outside to knock down the three,” said Clayton. “Next year I am hoping to transition from being a post player into more of a wing while also being a workhorse on the defensive end taking charges and being a strong rebounder.”
Taking up the sport at the age of 10, Clayton also excelled at hockey and baseball while growing up. Joining VSC in Grade 9, he points to that time and the tutelage of coach Brian Lee as the time when he first started to take basketball seriously.
He will also see some familiar faces when he joins the ’Pack having previously played with fellow recruit Matix Harrison at the club level. Clayton becomes the fourth member of the roster to call Surrey home.
Clayton plans on studying education next year at TRU with plans on becoming a high school teacher in the future.
“Coming from a very successful high school program at Semiahmoo, Jack brings a strong work ethic and an understanding of what is required to win to our team,” said Jacobson.
Semiahmoo head coach Les Brown agreed.
“This is very well-deserved for Jack. He is a fantastic young man… (who is) always getting into the gym to work on his skills on his own time,” Brown said Thursday (March 21).
“TRU is getting a great player who will continue to build their program’s culture.”