Lakewood’s Jacobi Boykins visited Louisiana Tech last week and became so smitten with the basketball program he decided not to schedule any other trips. On Tuesday, he made it official, committing to the Bulldogs during a home visit by the coaching staff.
“I love their style of play, and the coaching staff is phenomenal,” Boykins said. “I had a good relationship with everyone there. Coach (Michael) White called everyday to let me know I was their No. 1 guy.”
Boykins, a 6-foot-4 senior guard, missed nearly all of his junior season after breaking his neck in a car accident last November. He came back and made an impression with college coaches in offseason camps and tournaments. The offers started coming from schools such as Florida Gulf Coast, Rhode Island and Wyoming.
He chose Louisiana Tech because of a fast-paced style that’s similar to the one the Spartans play. That up-tempo game helped the Bulldogs finish last season 27-7 and reach the second round of the NIT tournament after upsetting FSU.
“I think this was a real good fit for Jacobi,” Lakewood coach Anthony Lawrence said. “He really liked the coaches, it’s a great program and I think he’ll get a chance to play right away.”
Boykins will join former Boca Ciega standout Kenny Smith, a junior at Louisiana Tech who was one of the team’s leading scorers last season.