To call Jahlil Tripp’s journey a whirlwind one would be a massive understatement.
The multi-dimensional Lincoln senior, who was sidelined for a prolonged period following a gunshot wound to the leg, has worked at a maniacal pace to get back into full form.
The worst is over.
For Tripp, the future is as promising as the past has been eventful. Tripp has become a highly sought after mid-major recruit, with plenty still to prove as he shoulders a bulk of the scoring load for the Railsplitters.
Siena and UNC-Wilmington have recently offered. DePaul, Hofstra, and Wichita State are now showing the most persistent interest. Tripp is slated to visit Siena next week. Fairfield, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Fordham and a bevy of others have been in the hunt as well.
Adapting to multiple positions on the court and thirsting for rebounds with a passion, Tripp’s summer was underscored by an MVP performance at Dean Street. Lincoln topped Cardozo in the semifinal of the tournament, with Tripp erupting for 30 points and 15 boards.
A 26-point performance against the Stackhouse Elite in the AAU circuit enabled him to open more eyes as a high-motored, versatile threat.
“He’ll be one of the best players not only in the PSAL but in the whole city,” Lincoln head coach Kenny Pretlow said.
“Most kids that play the wing, they won’t rebound the way he does. That’s what separates him. He’s a great rebounder. That helps because when he rebounds he now has the capability to put it on the floor. He’s not one of those tweeners. I’m pretty sure in college he’ll be a wing. In high school, he’ll basically be a 1-5 guy.”
Lincoln, which has churned out the likes of Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair, Lance Stephenson, and Isaiah Whitehead, always entertains lofty expectations. Pretlow has said he expects a double-double regularly out of Tripp.
“He’s going to get double figures in rebounds,” Pretlow said. “He’ll be a monster. He’s fully recovered from his knee injury. He’s a mismatch problem with the stuff he does.”
A cloud of uncertainty is hovering over the Lincoln program. Former Lincoln coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton abruptly left Seton Hall, where he served as an assistant under Kevin Willard for a year. A number of sources have indicated Morton will return as Lincoln’s coach. Morton went back to his position as middle school math teacher, following his one-year hiatus at Seton Hall.
Will Tiny return to his old stomping grounds to coach?
“No comment on that one,” said Pretlow.
