Cookeville’s Jack Oakley Signs NLI For Young Harris College Basketball Program

by Rusty Ellis

COOKEVILLE – Cookeville senior Jack Oakley took the next step in his academic and athletic journey on Friday, as he signed his national letter of intent to play basketball for Young Harris College after graduation.

“I’m excited, it’s kind of a dream come true,” Oakley said. “I’ve been working almost my whole life for this moment to go to the college stage, so I’m very excited. It’s a blessing for sure.”

Young Harris appealed to Oakley, particularly due to the community involvement with the program and the style they play.

“When they came to me and offered me, I knew it was the place I wanted to be,” Oakley said. “I really like the coach there, he recruits a lot of shooters so I’m going to fit right in. That was really just the play-style and the culture (I wanted)…it’s a smaller campus, with about 1,500 students. I went and watched a game, the community comes out for the games. It’s a really tight-knit community.”

Coming off a senior season that saw Oakley help lead Cookeville to a Class 4A State Runner-Up finish, he says a lot of what he’s learned from CHS head coach Josh Heard has prepared him for the next level.

“He always knew what we were capable of,” Oakley said. “Just pushing us and believing in us to succeed…he was very hard on us. I remember freshman year when I didn’t really play and he told me to keep on working. I’d be in here after school and he’d tell me to keep on working.”

The bonds Oakley has formed with his teammates is something he’ll say he’s missed, and he feels blessed to have an opportunity to play at the next level.

“The run we made was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had,” Oakley said. “I’ll miss playing in front of the community for sure. It’s going to be a different level of competition, physically and mentally, but I’m excited. I’m excited for the preparation that goes in and what it’ll teach me.”