TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) - For the Leon boys basketball team, Jakari Gallon was everything this season.
"We count on him for rebounds, we count on him for blocked shots, and of course we go to him down low in the post to make sure we get some easy baskets," said head coach Rick Davis.
Good choice in counting on Gallon, as he led the Lions in scoring, rebounds, and blocks in his senior season.
"I think it was just my last year I wanted to go out with a bang," said the senior. "I just try to make my presence be seen. I'm kind of big. I'm 6'5, so I have to make my presence seen down low in the paint, around the perimeter, everywhere really. Gotta show out really."
"Our kids look up to him knowing that when they see him play and they see him do the things he does, they want to do the same thing," added coach Davis.
That includes on the court, and in the classroom, where Gallon boasts a near 3.3 GPA.
"Academics come first," he said. "School comes first, so no academics, no basketball."
"It sends a message that we're not here for basketball, we're also here for the education part of it," said coach Davis. "We want to make sure that you do well both on the court and off the court."
With his senior season in the books, a little shorter than he liked, Gallon said he is still happy with the mark he's left, for years to come.
"I feel like I did everything I could for the Leon program," he said. "I'll look back and think I could have done more. I'm going to always tell myself I could have done something to better me and the team. I just came a long way."
A long way, for himself, and in leading this team.
