Douglas High senior Jack Tolbert poses for a photo after signing his National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Ohlone College in Fremont, Calif., next winter. Tolbert appeared in 24 games as a senior and averaged 5.5 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per contest.
Douglas High senior Jack Tolbert has found his next steps as he begins his journey to college.
The 6-foot-9 forward was an influential forward for the Tigers this past winter that helped propel the team to a second consecutive Class 5A state tournament appearance.
Of course, Tolbert was part of the 2021-22 team as a junior that won the Class 5A regional title and made the program’s first state tournament appearance in a decade.
Coming into his senior season, Tolbert caught the eye of his coaching staff after slimming down and showing an improved ability to get out and run the floor.
The outgoing senior credits that internal push as a reason why he’s now continuing his career to college hoops.
“Just to get the conditioning. The first year I almost didn’t really want to play because of how much running it was. By the end of the year, I wasn’t even thinking about that,” said Tolbert. “From there to there was the biggest leap.”
The forward’s ability to keep defenders on his hip was a big part in his points per game doubling from his junior to senior season.
By the end of last winter, Tolbert was posting a 5.5 points per game average along with 3.5 rebounds per contest and a block every other game.
The decision to go to the Bay Area was two-fold.
“Oh, just how good the coaching is there. It’s warmer and it’s not too far from here,” said Tolbert. “He likes that I run the floor and how fundamental I am.”
Ohlone College competes in the CCCAA (California Community College Athletic Association) and the men’s team went 18-11 last season before falling in the opening round of the Northern regional tournament.
Tolbert said early on he’s deciding between pursuing a teaching major or to maneuver through a business route once he steps foot on campus.
