Lakeside Launches Jake Lobik’s Rise

In his first game of the season against East Perth last month, Lobik made an immediate impact as a rebounding machine.

“Going into my first game knowing that I wasn't going to be the main scorer, but just finding all the way to impact the kind with like my rebounding, my defense, getting steals and blocks and just being a good teammate and a good person to have on the bench.”

Jake’s basketball journey began when he was invited to trial for Lakeside Lightning’s WABL side, an opportunity that shifted his focus from football to basketball.

“Lakeside really helped me develop as a player just through the coaches and environment that they have there.”

“I actually got asked to trial for WABL and then started training with those boys and made a team.”

“Then the coach actually just sessions with me just helped me develop because I actually was more of a footy player.”

“So then that helped me transition more into basketball and really helped me get better as a player and catch up to a lot of boys and then get here.”

Jake credits much of his growth to the support of former NBL player Travis Lindstrom.

“Travis Lindstrom, he was a he actually got me into playing WABL and picked me up from domestic.”

“I'm still doing sessions with him today… he's definitely been my biggest mentor at Lakeside.”

Coming in as a younger player, the step up from WABL to the Academy has been challenging, but Jake believes it has accelerated his development.

“It was definitely tough, I was used to being a bit bigger, taller but then here I’m one of the younger ones, I’m a bit smaller, so I’m playing with bigger bodies and more physical and older boys. 

“It was a lot harder. But that's definitely helped me. And it's made WABL a lot easier than what it was before.”

After captaining WA at the U16 Foot Locker National Championships in his first State team appearance, Jake now has his sights set on even bigger goals.

“My goals would be to keep making state teams, and hopefully get into an Aus camp or make an Australian team and keep progressing.”

He’s also grateful for the guidance of the Wildcats Academy coaching staff, particularly Academy Director Keegan Crawford.

“He was just really friendly, really encouraging. I was a bit nervous and scared coming into the academy, but he's definitely helped me.”

Jake and the Wildcats Academy will take the court today in an Intraclub curtain raiser ahead of the Wildcats’ pre-season game at Morley Sport & Recreation Centre.