Palos Verdes High School junior, Jackson Reese, has established himself as one of the most versatile athletes on our school’s campus. From the field to the court, Reese has worked his way into the starting lineup of both the football and basketball teams.
“Keeping myself committed to both basketball and football was hard at first, but I learned to keep a balanced life and have fun with my friends while still working hard on the court and the field,” Reese said.
His basketball journey started at eight years old, while Reese’s football career started only in high school where he quickly fell in love with the sport– ultimately becoming a dual-sport athlete.
Competing in two sports in high school can be challenging: having practices year-round, restless summers conditioning, and managing academics on top of it.
Reese said keeping diversity in his life has made it easier to manage stress.
“You’re not always doing the same thing all the time so it’s refreshing and doesn’t become repetitive,” Reese said.
Support from coaches, family and friends have also been a major factor in Reese’s athletic development.
“My coaches have supported me through coaching moments and life lessons to help push through long seasons that take a toll on my body,” Reese said.
“[Reese] is a talented athletic receiver and is improving all the time on the intricacies of the position – route running, body positioning, etc.,” PVHS varsity football head coach, Guy Gardner said.
“I really look forward to his senior year- both from his skills and also from his leadership that his experience has given him,” Gardener said.
Being a multi-sport athlete gives leadership skills that are found nowhere else; PVHS varsity basketball head coach, Frank Salceda, praised the fact that Reese’s leadership stayed the same, even after coming back from football.
“Jackson has shown leadership coming right back from football without skipping a beat. That’s something that I think is huge, for himself and the team,” Salceda said.
As a junior, Reese understands the importance of setting a good example for younger athletes. His dedication to practice and teamwork reflects his standards and shows what is possible through commitment and consistency.
Looking ahead, Reese has clear goals and aspirations for the future.
“I would like to play college sports whether it is one of the sports or both, if that is an opportunity I can take,” Reese said.
Playing either basketball or football at the collegiate level, he plans to carry the lessons he learned from both sports with him.
With two teams, two seasons, and one relentless work ethic, Reese continues to prove that success is not about choosing one path– it is about excelling on all paths.