Emerging Adelaide basketball star Jacob Rigoni returning to US college with high hopes
He’s nicknamed Jacob ‘Three-goni’ and models his game on Joe Ingles. Meet the Adelaide basketballer making a name for himself with his deadly three-point shot in NCAA US college basketball.
Adelaide basketballer Jacob Rigoni models his game on Joe Ingles and his hot hand from beyond the three-point line has earnt him the nickname Jacob ‘Three-goni’ after his second season of college in the US.
The 21-year-old Sturt junior and former Mercedes College student has returned to America this week after spending his summer break back home in Adelaide.
Rigoni’s season ended in March where the Quinnipiac Bobcats finished third in their NCAA division one Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
He started 31 of 31 games in his sophomore year, averaging 10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 27 minutes of court time.
He also drained 141 triples in his first two seasons to earn the ‘Three-goni’ tag from his teammates and there is more than a hint of Ingles about his style.
“He’s going really well so that’s a nice comparison,” Rigoni said.
“Seeing the success he had from three and how that’s opened up his game, to have the opportunity to play at such a high level shows how important that part of the game is now days.”
Rigoni emerged from the AIS and was MVP at the under-18 national championships before earning a scholarship to Quinnipiac for the 2017-18 season. He came off the bench the first half of his first season but has been a permanent starter ever since.
“I’m pleased with my first two years over there, it’s been good to have a great opportunity to play under coach (Baker) Dunleavy and play through the ups and downs of your first two seasons,” he said.
“I’ve been able to shoot the ball, it was something going in that was an area I really wanted to improve and I knew if I was able to shoot the ball at a high level I’d be able to work my way onto the court and earn my minutes from there and develop my game around that.
“It was about getting consistency in the gym and working to have a consistent technique that was reliable, putting lots of reps in at the start of the season which is where you build your confidence.
“We lost our first game of the conference tournament which was disappointing after a good season, we thought we had an opportunity to compete for a championship but it’s part of our
journey now and we’re excited to get back to work.”
While his former Sturt teammate Alex Mudronja is coming back from St Mary’s College early to turn pro with the Adelaide 36ers, this season, Rigoni says for now he is committed to seeing his four years of college through.
“Obviously you see what other guys are doing and you always think about it but right now I’m really happy with the situation I’m in,” he said.
“This has been the best path for my development at this stage and I’m enjoying where I’m at.
“I played with Alex at Sturt so I’m really happy for him, I’m glad he’s happy with that decision and it will be a good opportunity to play against professionals every day and keep developing his game.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au