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Jacob Duniver came into The Woodstock Academy prep basketball program as a man with a plan.
The 6-foot, 6-inch wing player out of Fredericksburg, Va., had already made his college choice before stepping on to the grounds at Woodstock Academy.
Duniver decided over the summer to commit to St. Michael’s College, a Division II program in Colchester, Vt.
“I’m excited about it,” Duniver said. “I’ve been talking to coach (Eric) Eaton and he has been letting me know what they’re doing especially with all the uncertainty going on.”
The pandemic caused the Northeast-10, the conference to which St. Michael’s belongs, to shut down all athletics through Dec. 31.
Duniver said his connection to Eaton goes back to a coach he worked with in AAU basketball who knew Eaton and suggested he pursue Duniver.
Duniver was impressed with Eaton’s resume at Division I schools such as Iona, Quinnipiac, Albany and Holy Cross. Assistant coach Tevin Baskin spent time with the Mississippi State University program as a graduate assistant for the past two seasons.
“I know that’s how they’re going to run the program (like a Division I program) and that’s what I really like about the school,” Duniver said.
Centaurs prep basketball coach Jacque Rivera has been impressed with Duniver’s skill to fill the basket.
“He has Division I shooting ability,” Rivera said. “He can really stroke it. He never misses bad and I think it’s a great fit. Coach Eaton has over 20 years in the business and has turned that program around in one year. He’s worked relentlessly to build a competitive program up there. Jacob is going to be very good there.”
Rivera said Duniver needs to work on the speed of the game, something that is common to any player coming out of high school and into the prep and collegiate ranks.
“He has a high IQ and understands how to play basketball,” Rivera said.
Duniver will not be the only Woodstock Academy product in Colchester.
Nashon Battle, who averaged 19 points a game for the Centaurs Blue squad last year, is a first-year member of the Purple Knights.
Duniver said he hasn’t spoken to Battle yet.
He hopes to go on a visit soon to the school up north and hopes to run into the former Woodstock Academy product.
“I can’t say that I’m looking forward to the cold weather up there, but I’m prepared. I bought some winter clothes before I came up here,” Duniver said with a smile.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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