Jay Scrubb is a neighborhood hero and a role model for his younger siblings. Scrubb grew up in the west end of Louisville, Ky, and attended the same Central High School as Muhammad Ali. The future pro overcame a troubled childhood and made NBA history in the process. After his freshman year, he focused his efforts on academics and eventually transferred to Trinity High School his sophomore year. Junior year Scrubb averaged 16 points per game and was named Seventh Region Player of the Year by the Courier-Journal. As a senior, he averaged 17.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Scrubb repeated as Seventh Region Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Kentucky Mr. Basketball award.
After high school, Scrubb signed to play college basketball for John A. Logan College, a junior college in Illinois. He finished the season averaging 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, shooting 46 percent from three-point range. He was named National Junior College Athletic Association Region 24 Player of the Year. Scrubb would commit to playing for his hometown college at the University of Louisville following another year of junior college. He went on to average 21.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists a game. After the season, he was named the player of the year and repeated as a first-team NJCAA Division I All-American.
His stellar college play made him decide to forgo his commitment to Louisville and take his talents to UofL. During the 2020 draft, the Brooklyn Nets selected him 55th overall. The Nets then traded him to the LA Clippers. He became the first JUCO player to be drafted since Donta Smith in 2004.
Now that Scrubbs is living his NBA dreams, he seeks to make Louisville a better place and help allow kids to live theirs. Scrubs has taken time away from summer league play and training to serve his community. He put together his first basketball camp. Coach Schooler (Fern Creek High School Head Coach), Jacquess Hobbs (EKU Player), Chucky Wilson(Georgetown player), Wes Hinton (DELTA Foundation), Cory Marcum (Jay Agents) were among the volunteers.
Scrubs advice to the youth would be, “Be the best they can be, whether it be basketball, or being a lawyer, or a doctor. Basketball is not always the end route. I want kids to be comfortable when they come to me and ask questions. I’m not giving them just one avenue but letting them know it’s different streams.”
Kids ages 7-11 took part in the camp on the first day, while kids ages 12-16 took part in the next day. The event provided student-athletes and disadvantaged youth with a free camp and receive back-to-school items for free. Jay Scrubb has developed a reputation as being a leader among players, coaches, agents, and sponsors.
“I was at a point in my life when I wanted to go to all the NBA camps. But financially, I wasn’t in a spot where my family could do it. I want to give back to the kids and make sure if they want to be here, that they can be here. It’s all for the kids.”
Scrubs has also been rehabbing from a foot injury suffered in 2020. The guard made a full recovery and showed improvement in summer league action. Scrubb finished with 24 points on a blistering 10-of-18 shooting to go with ten rebounds against the Bucks. With Kawhi Leonard injured, Scrubs may see more time in his sophomore year. Scrubs is a shining example of what hard work and dedication can bring.
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