Jared Kimbrough: ACI/Robin’s Nest’s Championship X-Factor
MANASQUAN — Since the league’s inception in 1968, the Jersey Shore Basketball League has awarded a playoff MVP, evaluating their selection based off each performance during the postseason. ACI/Robin’s Nest’s guard Dwaine Jones undoubtedly earned that award with the top performance in both the quarterfinals and semifinals as well as what will go down as one of the JSBL’s most legendary shots, a near-buzzer beating three pointer to clinch ACI/Robin’s Nest’s first championship in franchise history in an epic victory over 3-time defending champion Sterns Trailer. The league has never officially recognized a championship game MVP, but in a game full of superstars the best player on the floor was undoubtedly Jared Kimbrough.
A Neptune native, Kimbrough suited up for the Scarlet Fliers where he earned 1st Team All-Shore honors as a senior in 2018. He would go on to play his first three seasons of college basketball at La Salle University where he would start over half the games as a freshman before being relegated to a smaller role off the bench for the next two seasons. He would make the decision to transfer to Hartford where he earned a starting spot for his final two seasons of college eligibility after being granted a fifth year of eligibility due to the Covid pandemic.
Statistics have never told the full story of Kimbrough’s impact throughout his basketball career although they have vastly improved after moving on from college to the professional level. In college, he never averaged more than 8 points per game in a season or over 5.2 rebounds per game. Kimbrough’s ascension as a player since graduating is nothing short of spectacular. This past season overseas in Switzerland, he averaged 15.8 ppg and 9.1 rpg for Monthey-Chablais. A 6’8″ rim running big man with impressive strength, footwork, athleticism, and length, Kimbrough is often the most physically imposing player on the floor even when surrounded by highly accomplished professionals. His game shines most on the defensive end where his ability to stay in front of quick guards, protect the rim at an elite level, and remain disciplined with his defensive fundamentals stand out.
Kimbrough had a dominant regular season this summer at the JSBL averaging a double-double with 22.6 points per game to go along with 10.9 rebounds per game. He also shot an incredibly efficient 63.8% from the field. In the playoffs, his averages ticked down a notch with the scoring, but his rebounding and rim protection were essential for ACI/Robin’s Nest to reach and eventually win the championship game where he dominated with 22 points on an efficient 9-for-12 from the floor, 15 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, and countless other remarkable defensive plays.
Jared Kimbrough blocks regular season MVP Jakari Spence’s shot (Photo by Tom Smith)
“I always had a strong belief in myself,” said Kimbrough. “In high school, I’d find some friends and they would help me workout every single day. Whether that was at the park at 6 a.m. or lifting or running at the beach for 3 miles. I did everything I could to better myself.”
Over the past three years at the Jersey Shore, you could see Kimbrough’s game evolving each year. During his first season as a member of a struggling Sea Shore Auto franchise, Kimbrough often played passively on the offensive end and allowed his teammates to operate the offense. In his second season, this time with ACI/Robin’s Nest, his game became a bit more assertive culminating with a 3rd Team All-JSBL nod. Fast forward to his third season, and Kimbrough fully embraced his role as the alpha. Layups in traffic became violent dunks. A hand in the face of a shooter became a thunderous blocked shot. In the championship game, Kimbrough did not settle for any shots from outside the arc. He was in full on attack mode in the paint from start to finish.
“I did everything I could to better myself.” said Kimbrough “I improved my shooting, endurance, defense, everything. It meant a lot to me to want to get better because I have a strong belief in myself that I can be whatever I want to be.”
Jared Kimbrough finishes a layup off the glass (Photo by Tom Smith)
It was not just Kimbrough who believed in himself enough to climb in the professional basketball ranks. ACI/Robin’s Nest Head Coach Joe Fagan was a long time believer in his Kimbrough dating back to when he first coached him at Neptune High School.
“I love Jared like he’s my own son” said Fagan “I’ve watched him grow up and mature, he’s living his dream playing as a professional. When Robin [Pallandrano, sponsor of ACI/Robin’s Nest] asked me to coach the team, he was the first kid I called.”
Fagan believes that Kimbrough still has another level that he can reach as a basketball player and if last season’s breakout overseas as well as this summer’s title run at the Jersey Shore is a sign of things to come, the sky is the limit. Kimbrough will play professionally overseas in Finland for Kataja Basket in his upcoming year as a professional.