Jacob Conway: From Kentucky roots to global hoops

By Casey Roberts

Contributing writer

Jacob Conway, a 2015 graduate of Lincoln County High School, is the school’s all-time leading scorer in boys’ basketball with 2,097 points. His remarkable journey was from high school hero to professional athlete in Europe, and most recently, a player in The Basketball Tournament (TBT).

After high school, Conway signed with Georgetown College, where he spent five years, including a redshirt freshman year. His time at Georgetown was highlighted by a national championship in his junior year and a number one ranking going into the postseason of his senior year, which was unfortunately cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conway finished his college career as a 1,000-point scorer, an NAIA All-American, and a first-team All Mid-South Conference player.

“Really, just the love for the game,” Conway said about his journey. “I didn’t know how my career was going to end up. I just knew from a young age I loved to work hard and play basketball. I started realizing in high school when I was playing against the best players in the country during AAU that I had a chance to go to college and play pro.”

Reflecting on his high school days, Conway fondly recalls the camaraderie and community support. “Playing at Lincoln was some of the best times of my life. Playing with a group of guys I grew up with from a young age is a different feeling. Lincoln taught me how to compete at a high level, be coachable, and become a good teammate. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without the coaches and teammates I had at Lincoln.”

After college, Conway ventured to Europe, where he played three full seasons — one in England for the Derby Trailblazers and two in France for US Laval Basket. “My experience has been great,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of great teammates I still keep up with and I’ve gotten to travel to many different countries around Europe.”

Conway noted the differences in the style of play in Europe compared to the United States. “The pace of the game is slower, and teams are more systematic. Teams want to run a certain set most trips down the floor and get the best shot possible, whereas in the States, a lot of coaches and teams want to get the best ISO matchup and play quickly. The game is very physical in Europe.”

His performance overseas was consistently strong, earning All-League honors every season in the NBL1 and NM2 leagues of England and France. One of his fondest memories was having his best friend, Andrew Wilks, come to France to watch him play. “Playing in front of a hometown friend was pretty cool,” he shared.

Transitioning to professional basketball was a natural progression for Conway, given his lifelong dedication to the sport. “I’ve taken basketball very seriously my whole life. I’ve been lucky to be part of great programs in high school and college, so adapting to being a pro wasn’t too difficult. The hardest thing was the mental struggle of being 4,000+ miles away from family and friends. But playing professionally was a dream of mine, so doing what I loved got me through.”

Conway’s support system, consisting of a tight circle of family and friends, kept him grounded and motivated. “Having them supporting me kept me grounded and always excited to come back to where I grew up.”

Most recently, Conway’s journey took him to TBT, where he played for the Sideline Cancer team. The opportunity arose when the team’s general manager reached out to Conway and his agent, offering him a spot as a reserve player. “When they called me, it was an automatic yes. I wasn’t going to pass up that opportunity for anything.”

Playing in TBT was another milestone for Conway. “It was a great experience. I had never played in the TBT before, so it’s another thing I can check off my bucket list. Playing with other professionals from all different walks of life and competing for $1 million was great exposure for me.”

The Louisville Region at Freedom Hall, where Conway played, provided an amazing and historic backdrop. “The environment for our games was amazing, especially against The Ville team that had a bunch of Louisville alums. Games were nationally televised, so that goes to show the competition was extremely high level. Some of the best players in the world outside of the NBA.”

Looking back, Conway cherishes the experience of playing on national television and competing against former NBA players. “Playing on national television, getting to play against ex-NBA players, and realizing that I belong and can compete at that level was an incredible experience.”

To young athletes, Conway offers this advice: “Play for the love of the game. If you love basketball, work hard and don’t put any expectations on it. Play because you enjoy it and use it as an escape from everything else going on in your life. If you do that, everything else will work itself out. But education is most important. If you don’t make the grades, you don’t play. It’s that simple.”

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