From the high school gyms of West Ottawa to the professional arenas of Europe, Jake Van Tubbergen’s basketball journey embodies the power of persistence, hardwork and community.

As a 2017 West Ottawa graduate who led the Panthers to their first-ever boys basketball district title, Jake reflects on the unbreakable bonds formed with teammates who did "everything together" - from team sleepovers to hallway conversations between classes. That unselfish team chemistry became the foundation for his approach to the game, a philosophy that has served him well across multiple professional leagues.

Jake's five-year career at Grand Valley State University presented new challenges - transforming from a lanky high schooler to a more physically imposing player capable of competing against "grown men." With candid humor, he recounts his evolution from being nicknamed "Gumby" and "go-go gadget arms" to becoming a versatile threat who finished fourth on GVSU's all-time scoring list with over 2,000 points.

The leap to playing professionally overseas brought both excitement and profound challenges. "That first time I left was tough," Jake admits, describing fighting back tears at the airport as his parents dropped him off. Yet through basketball, he found connection in foreign lands, building friendships with teammates from across the globe while experiencing cultures he might never have encountered otherwise.

From winning league MVP in Portugal to floating in the Dead Sea during his season in Israel, Jake's basketball career has become a passport to life-changing experiences. Now engaged and preparing for a new season with Peristeri in Athens, Greece, he maintains the wide-eyed appreciation of his younger self: "Ten-year-old me would think this is awesome. To this day, I still think that."

Share your thoughts of encouragement and appreciation for Jake in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with Panther athletes making their mark in our community and throughout the world.

If you'd like to watch Jake play, courtside1891.basketball provides livestreams of all FIBA Basketball, including some Peristeri games, (we think), his new team in Athens, Greece. The annual subscription cost is $29.99 for the entire year. (Not sure if this will work yet but we will keep you posted.)

This episode was recorded on July 27, 2025.