Former Wayne State College men's basketball standout Kendall Jacks recently completed a successful debut professional season in Portugal.
            Jacks played this season for the Futebol Clube Barreirense in the Portugal Liga Placard League, the top professional league in Portugal.  The Portugese league, like nearly all other professional leagues, was suspended on March 18^th due to the coronavirus outbreak.
            The graduate of Bettendorf High School in Iowa averaged 16.14 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.05 assists per game this season, shooting 46.7% (80-171) on two point shots, 39.58% (38-96) from the 3-point line and 87.84 percent (65-74) at the free throw line.  Twice during the season Jacks was an Ideal 5 Member Player of the Week.
            Jacks said he played the point guard and two guard position this season.  His team was two games out of the eighth playoff position in the 14-team league with four games left in the season when play was suspended for the season.
            Jacks said the caliber of play in Portugal varied from game to game.  "Clubs that have large soccer teams and other benefits have players with high levels off playing experience, varying from NBA G League to other high caliber basketball clubs in Europe."
            The biggest thing that stood out to Jacks during his first professional season in Portugal was the interaction with the fans.
            "Sometimes people will recognize you on the street or they notice the team apparel that you wear," remarked Jacks.  "Teams have strong fan bases that create an electric atmosphere in many of the gyms played across the country."
            Jacks added the biggest adjustment playing in Portugal compared to the United States was the extended 3-point line and the way officials called the game.
            Asked about what his future holds in professional basketball, Jacks said he has the opportunity to play for the same team next season but has not made a decision yet.
            Jacks had a standout career at Wayne State from 2014-19, helping rebuild a Wildcat men's basketball program from 5-24 to a 21-10 in his senior season.  Jacks earned All-NSIC honors three times and finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in NSIC games with 1,220 points in league play.  All-time, Jacks ranks second in career scoring with 1,626 points, third in career field goals made (619) and eighth in assists (241). 
            As a senior in 2018-19, Jacks was a First Team All-NSIC selection averaging 16.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 81.8 percent at the free throw line while leading WSC to a 21-10 record and a share of the NSIC South Division regular season title.