4-star Jamie Kaiser: "I went to the same school as Hubert Davis...UNC would be a dream offer"

Jamie Kaiser is the No. 38 ranked player in the 2023 class after On3’s most recent update. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has taken a massive step over the last six to eight months.

“I’m a big guard who can really shoot it,” Kaiser told On3. “My shot has gotten really consistent, especially over the summertime. What separates me from many people is that I can defend, rebound, and play tough. I watch a lot of Devin Booker and how he gets to his midrange. The midrange is where I like to get warmed up; I feel like that can set the pace for the game.”

Since giving up football in March, he carried offers from Maryland, Pittsburgh, and more, the Alexandria (VA) Bishop Ireton wing’s basketball recruitment has taken off. On3 caught up with Jamie Kaiser to see where exactly things stood in his recruitment.

“I took official visits to Wisconsin, Harvard, Virginia, and Maryland,” Kaiser said.

Kaiser talks recruitment

Maryland: “They are close to home, and I love Maryland. I always used to watch their games when I was a kid.”

Harvard: “I never thought I would have an opportunity to go to Harvard when I was younger. That is a big offer, so I wanted to go up there and see what they were about.”

Wisconsin: “They were the first big school to offer me, and I appreciate their faith in me. They were the first offer, so I went out there first.”

Virginia: “Coach Tony Bennett is a legendary coach. He has been a coach of the year and a national champion. He tells and showed me how I really fit their system. I respect that and wanted to go over there to see more.”

Visits moving forward

“When we are out in California for Adidas, I am going to go to UCLA because it’s not that far,” Kaiser said. “I also have an official visit planned to Indiana. I wouldn’t mind seeing Stanford too.”

UCLA: “The style of play stands out. They have Johnny Juzang; I remember the year they went to the Final Four; they had three 6-foot-6 wings. That is me and my type of playing style. They create their own shots and play tough defense. Coach Mick Cronin coached tough teams at Cincinnati, and I feel like I’m that type of kid.”

Indiana: “They love me; I talk to them every day. You look over and see Coach Woody (Mike Woodson) sitting there watching. They are recruiting Jaeden (Mustaf) and Khani (Rooths) too. We all fit their type of playing style. It’s a pro-style system, and they recruit really well. They have been here every game, and I appreciate that.”

Stanford: “Coach (Jerod) Haase has developed players there as the head coach. I want to go and see what it’s all about. It’s kind of like Harvard with the academics; you get the best of both worlds.”

“I heard that UNC would come to a couple of my games. I’ve not talked to them directly yet, but my high school coach has talked with them. I went to Burke (VA) Lake Braddock High, and Hubert Davis went there. I’m friends with his nephew. That would be a dream offer, but I am very happy with what I have now and very appreciative of what I have.”

Kaiser’s take

“I’m looking for a family culture,” Jamie Kaiser said. “I also want to play right away and go to a school that will let me play right away. I can read through the b.s. when I talk to them on my visits and look at them in the eyes.

“Playstyle will matter to me some. I want to play for a team that plays hard, gets up some shots, plays defense, and just gets out and runs. I think I play best with a team that gets out in transition, lots of dunks, and open transition threes. I’d like to get things done before the Fall, like the late August time frame.”