Jake Stokker is taking his evolving skills to the UBC-O Heat men乌鸦传媒檚 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.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 really excited to see my development,乌鸦传媒� 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乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檛 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.

乌鸦传媒淣ext year I won乌鸦传媒檛 be able to get to the hoop as easy,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檒l definitely have to improve that part of my game. Playing with men, it乌鸦传媒檚 a totally different game.乌鸦传媒�

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.

乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 got a decent skillset. I乌鸦传媒檓 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,乌鸦传媒� said Guarasci. 乌鸦传媒淚 think he has to make the transition just like any other high school athlete to be at the level. He乌鸦传媒檚 going to continue to get stronger. That makes the jump so much easier. It乌鸦传媒檚 finding how your game will fit at the next level. What you can do to be effective.乌鸦传媒�

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.

乌鸦传媒淭o be competitive at the university level, you need to recruit nationally and sometimes internationally,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淎dding local players to provide depth and consistency. That乌鸦传媒檚 very important.乌鸦传媒�

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.