Boys’ basketball: Oak Park’s J.D. Slajchert is no slacker
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
You have to admire the courage of 6-foot-5 senior center J.D. Slajchert of Oak Park just for playing sports. With his last name, he has put himself in a precarious position.
‘That’s a good player’s basketball name,’ he said.
Yeah, right.
It’s pronounced Slack-ert, and if he does anything not at full speed, he’s going to be called a slacker.
Even more incredible, he has Air Force among his potential college destinations.
What kind of teenager would want to be at a military school with a last name of Slajchert?
A confident, determined one, and that’s Slajchert. With red hair, a loud voice and a firm handshake, he always makes a favorable impression. And he can play basketball too. He’s averaging 19 points and 7.8 rebounds in 11 games. He has been a key figure in the rise of Oak Park, which is 10-1 entering this week’s Ventura tournament.
He was all-tournament in the San Fernando Valley Invitational, and he has made steady improvement since entering Oak Park as a 5-8 freshman. Those days playing the guard position have helped him now that he’s at center for the Eagles.
Don’t ever expect him to be a slacker on the court.
-- Eric Sondheimer