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Faced with an opportunity to do another year of prep basketball, Kato Jaro instead decided he was ready to take the next step. And next season that step will be onto the floor with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.
Jaro, a 6-foot-1 guard from Central Canada Prep, is the latest commitment to head coach Mike Raimbault's 2023 men's basketball recruiting class.
He joins previously announced recruits Noah Kankam and Nico Longarela and will have five years of eligibility.
Jaro transferred to Central Canada Prep this season after previously playing his high school basketball with the Miles Mac Buckeyes. He said he weighed the option after this season of potentially doing another year of prep, but ultimately decided to sign with Raimbault, a coach who had been familiar with him and had started recruiting him in his Grade 11 year.
"I had the choice to do another prep year and I was kind of on the edge of if I want to take another year or if I just wanted to get right into it," Jaro said. "It was maybe a month ago, six weeks ago that I decided that I just want to to hop in and get started with school, and I'm excited to get here."
He also has extensive experience in the Manitoba provincial program, including most recently playing in the 2022 Canada Games.
For his Grade 11 season, Jaro was named the No. 5-ranked player in the province in the Winnipeg Free Press' annual coaches poll.
Jaro was under the tutelage of former Wesmen player and assistant coach Nick Lother, who leads Central Canada Prep and the Evolve Basketball development program. And Jaro also credited his former high school coaches Jon Janzen and Jeff Shaddock at Miles Mac for helping him link up with Raimbault and the Wesmen.
"I think (Raimbault) was a major part of why I decided to come here," Jaro said. "He seemed super-welcoming, and he seemed like he actually wanted me here. And I felt like that is a good place to play, where the coach wants you there."
Raimbault is high on Jaro's work ethic and intensity on the floor. He said he believes the guard will bring a tenaciousness that will help him succeed at the U Sports level.
"We are excited to add Kato to the program," Raimbault. "In addition to his skills on the court as a creative and dynamic guard, Kato has a passion and drive for the game that is infectious. We think he'll be a valuable contributor and look forward to getting him into our system."
Jaro is well aware of the success the Wesmen had last season in qualifying for the national championship tournament. He's excited to compete for a spot on a team is that returns virtually its entire lineup.
"I'm super-excited. It's going to be fun repping the city and playing for the Wesmen."
Source: http://www.wesmen.ca
2022 MANITOBA PROVINCIAL TEAM PROFILE
