Jackson Shelstad does Jackson Shelstad things at Nike Hoop Summit, sending hometown crowd into a frenzy

“It felt good just knowing my state had my back out there. It just was fun to take the court and represent our country as well.”

By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom 

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon high school basketball fans had seen the move thousands of times over the past four years.

West Linn senior Jackson Shelstad took the Moda Center floor at the Nike Hoop Summit on Saturday night wearing Team USA white and promptly showed off his signature move.

Coming off a high screen near the midcourt line, he dribbled right, cut across the free throw line, then stopped suddenly and fired a pullup jumper over an off-balance defender guarding against a drive to the hoop.

SWISH! 

A few seconds later, he forced a turnover, with Ron Holland of Texas collecting the loose ball. Shelstad spotted up behind the three-point line on the right wing and let loose again. 

SWISH! 

The roar of the crowd rivaled any heard at a Trail Blazers game this season as the World team called timeout with 3:47 left in the first quarter.

“It felt good just knowing my state had my back out there,” said Shelstad, who became the seventh Oregon high schooler to play in the elite all-star game that matches the best U.S. players against an international contingent.

“It just was fun to take the court and represent our country as well.”

Shelstad, who will trade Lions green and gold for the University of Oregon’s next season, was then asked about what it might be like for him at Matthew Knight Arena next season.

“I’m sure I’m not gonna be getting those loud cheers every time I step on the court like that,” he said with a smile. 

Shelstad scored all eight of his points in the first half and had two rebounds and a steal in Team USA’s 90-84 victory. 

“I was able to compete with these dudes all week, learn from these coaches, and just playing this game, representing USA, getting the W, it’s a huge, huge blessing to go out for my high school career,” he said.

It wasn’t all positive for Shelstad, who struggled in the second half to revive the good vibes he had in that opening stretch.

He played only five minutes after halftime and missed all three shots he took, although he still finished the night with a plus-16 rating, tops of the 26 players.

“I learned how to play with a lot of other elite players, which is something that I’m going to need in college,” Shelstad said. “This opportunity was big-time for me before I go to Oregon next year, so I can learn how to play with other brilliant players.” 

Photo by Taylor Balkom

Photo by Taylor Balkom