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basketball Edit

Paxson Wojcik attracting programs with his mind, play

Paxson Wojcik
Paxson Wojcik

The La Lumiere basketball program in La Porte, Ind., has become a hotbed for some of the best high school talent in recent years. After graduating a slew of Rivals150 prospects last spring, the school has remained afloat thanks to the emergence of Paxson Wojcik.

A 6-foot-4 off-guard who can shoot, pass, defend and do many of the unnoticed but important things, Wojcik discussed his first full year at the Indiana powerhouse.

“Things are going well," he said. "We are nearing the end here, but we have had a great year. I am really proud of the team, and I think that we have come along and gotten a lot better.”

While things are just picking up with Wojcik, a handful of programs including Notre Dame, Michigan, Stanford, Northwestern, Creighton, Ivy League schools, and a few others, have begun to take notice.

"My ability to shoot the basketball is my biggest strength, combined with my IQ and my skills in playing the game the right way," he said.

He broke down his recruitment for Rivals.com.

CLASS OF '19 RANKINGS: Rivals150 | Power forwards | Centers | Point guards | Shooting guards | Small forwards

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IN HIS OWN WORDS 

Notre Dame: “I love Notre Dame. I am pretty familiar with the entire university. My dad (Dave Wojcik) was an assistant there back in the day and I was actually born in South Bend. I have always been pretty close to the program and watching them from afar. Coming to La Lumiere and being just 30 minutes away has been pretty cool for me. I got to go up to campus and play pick-up with their guys and be around them and go to football games, which has been awesome. They value the type of player that they think I am: Skilled guys that can shoot it and stretch the floor, but also guys that are tough and gritty. I think I am a good fit for them and I hear from them every once in a while. Coach (Mike) Brey came out to a game a couple of weeks back, looking at Isaiah (Stewart) and myself.”

Stanford: “I was out there on their campus this past summer and spent some time out there. I had a great time seeing the campus and enjoying the California weather, which is awesome. The thing about Stanford is that, once again, the prestige in the academics and being recognized as one of the top universities in the world. All of the technology stuff going on in Silicon Valley is exciting, and Stanford is right in the middle of it, so being there for college would be fun - and I think I fit that mold, too.”

Creighton: “My teammate from last year and a good buddy of mine, Jacob (Epperson), he is a freshman there and playing pretty well. We went there last year and saw the campus and the facilities; it was awesome. We had the chance to talk with coach (Greg) McDermott. He is a great guy and great coach who really develops his players. That is another program where I could see myself fitting in. I know that I can shoot it, and I know that I can play for them and in the Big East.”

Ivy League: “The combination of academics and athletics that those schools offer ... all of them are prestigious schools that are recognized around the world. (I would) also have the chance to be set up for life after basketball.”

WHAT'S NEXT?

Wojcik has taken unofficial visits to Notre Dame, Harvard and Michigan State since the fall, though no others are scheduled for the time being.

“I am not really sure right now,” Wojcik said. “Most of the schools recruiting me right now I am pretty familiar with, but as things progress, maybe after the first spring period of AAU, I will try and get out to a few schools in May and June.”

He will complete his junior season with nationally ranked La Lumiere before beginning his senior travel campaign on the Under Armour circuit with the Illinois Wolves program.

RIVALS' REACTION 

Wojcik, the son of East Carolina assistant Doug Wojcik, has become valued for his ability to make shots from all three levels, defend his position, facilitate his team’s offense and compete on both ends of the floor.

Thanks to his consistent mindset on the court and elite-level grades in the classroom, Wojcik is primed to be rewarded with a recruitment that stretches to both sides of the nation. A number of programs continue to keep tabs, but it should not be long before Wocjik settles into a priority recruitment.

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