OMAHA, Neb. -- Though a winner and a success at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Coraopolis, Jake DiMichele was not offered to play Division I basketball.
Two Division II schools came calling. He had a choice between Seton Hill and California University of Pennsylvania to continue his basketball career in the collegiate ranks after leaving the WPIAL as the second-highest scorer in its history. He chose Option C: Preparatory school. That option would pay off in May, when DiMichele announced he would commit to Duquesne and Keith Dambrot ... as a walk-on.
Ten months following that decision, DiMichele will serve as a major role player in this NCAA Tournament when the Dukes oppose BYU Thursday at 12:40 p.m. inside of the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb.
"Yeah, it means a lot," DiMichele said before Wednesday's practice, "especially just from a personal standpoint, being able to see my family at every game and stuff and seeing how much joy and pride I've brought to the people closest to me. It means the world to me. I hope that I can just continue to keep going and keep making them more proud with every moment."
DiMichele led OLSH to four WPIAL Class 2A titles, and OLSH went 15-1 in the state tournament through his four seasons with state championship victories in 2021 and 2022. DiMichele and the Chargers won 68 consecutive games to tie a state record that dated to 1978.
He finished his high-school career with 301 3-pointers made and 780 rebounds gathered. As a senior he averaged 31.9 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 58.7% from the field and making 86 3-pointers.
"The moment's never too big for him," Mike Rodriguez, OLSH' coach, told DK Pittsburgh Sports Thursday morning. "... He's a great young man. He's a great example for younger kids. We're so proud of him at OLSH."
His prep season at First Love Christian Academy in Washington, Pa., helped round out his game, though DiMichele continued to be a prolific scorer. He averaged 24.0 points and shot 53.0% from the field and 37.0% from 3-point range in six Elite Prep League games.
The 6-foot-4 true freshman didn't receive much of an opportunity to showcase that ability at the collegiate level until the beginning of January. On Jan. 6, he played in 18 minutes in the Dukes' loss at Loyola Chicago, which would be the second of five consecutive losses for Duquesne to begin Atlantic 10 play. He made 3 of 4 attempts from the field and scored seven points in 18 minutes off the bench. Then, he came off the bench against Dayton and scored a career-high 12 points while making 5 of 10 attempts from the field.
His opportunities grew as Dae Dae Grant missed time with a concussion in January. DiMichele took Grant's place in the starting lineup Jan. 16 against Richmond and played a career-high 27 minutes. From that point, DiMichele started in all-but one game and averaged 7.7 points while logging at least 20 minutes in all-but two games.
DiMichele played in at least 32 minutes and started in all four of Duquesne's games in the Atlantic Tournament. He made 9 of 13 3-pointers overall and included a 12-point performance against St. Bonaventure in the tournament semifinal.
"Our toughness level really improved when DiMichele started to play," Dambrot said this week. "It's funny how one guy can affect another guy that can affect another guy. And, pretty soon, if you're not tough, you're kind of the odd-man out. I think that's really what happened with our group."
DiMichele is projected to continue as a starter alongside Grant and Jimmy Clark III in the Dukes' NCAA Tournament opener Thursday. It's that toughness that helps Dambrot's recipe work, and one that was missed when the Dukes struggled earlier in the season.
DiMichele seized his one shot that many across college basketball do not receive in their careers. Regardless of how far the Dukes make it within this NCAA Tournament run, DiMichele will have plenty to build upon for his sophomore season and beyond.
But, he will also be remembered for what he is accomplishing now.
"Just speaking of being a western Pennsylvania guy, it just means a lot to me, and I know going forward even when I'm older and stuff, I feel like I'll still get recognized for that accomplishment and helping bringing Duquesne back to the tournament," DiMichele said. "Yeah, it's a great and fulfilling feeling, for sure."
