- February 20, 2025
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J.P. Lattimore is a 6-foot-4 junior forward on the Booker High boys basketball team (11-11). This season, Lattimore is leading the Tornadoes in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game. In Booker's last game, a 63-52 win over Venice Jan. 24, Lattimore scored 18 points.
When did you start playing basketball and why?
I started playing basketball in the third grade. My sister had started playing as well, and I was always around it, tagging along to her workouts. I grew up around the sport and starting taking it more seriously as I continued to play.
What’s the appeal?
I like the competitive nature of it. I feel like basketball is different from other sports because you can just back and forth with someone, battling it out on the court with each possession.
What's your best skill on the court?
I can read the floor well. I know when I have open lanes to drive to the basket or when my teammates are open for good looks.
What are you working on to improve?
I’m working on my ball handling skills. Being a three-four (small forward/power forward) means that I don’t handle the ball as much as other players on my team and I want my game to translate to the next level after high school. I’m trying to become more comfortable at small forward as opposed to power forward.
What has gone right for your team this season?
We’ve come together as a team. We understand that we can’t change the past. We can’t change our record, but we understand now that it’s time to lock in before the playoffs. We have to focus on winning these last couple of games before the playoffs to give us a boost of confidence heading into them.
For us to be successful, we don’t need to make any big adjustments. We just need to focus on the details — not turning the ball over and not having empty possessions offensively. I know that personally, I have a different mindset heading into them this season. I’ve been on varsity since my freshman year and every single year it’s become more important to me.
What’s your favorite basketball memory?
It’d have to be winning the district championship over Bayshore (58-50) last season. We’d beaten them twice before in the regular season, but we didn’t want to go into the game thinking that it would be easy. We went out there and competed and so did they; it was a close game.
When we won, we were all so excited to be there and to have done it together. It was the best feeling, and it was just districts, not even a regional championship.
What’s your favorite food?
I love crab cakes and baked mac and cheese.
What’s your favorite movie or television show?
I’d say “Avatar: The Last Airbender”. During basketball season, I don’t watch a lot of television though.
What are your hobbies?
I like to travel. This weekend (Jan. 24-26), I’m going to New York City with one of my teammates. We have a game tonight at Venice and then at 3 a.m. we’re waking up and flying to New York. We’ll fly back in time for practice on Monday evening. I’ve never been there before. We’re planning on going to a Brooklyn Nets game.
What’s your favorite school subject?
History. I like to learn about the past.
What's the best advice that you've received?
To try and have patience with the process. I look back on how much I’ve grown as a player since third grade, understanding the depth of the game and that it’s not just about putting the ball in the basket. You have to be patient and grow with the game. It’s not all going to come at once. Realizing that allows you to look back and appreciate how all the work that you’ve put in has led you up to this point.
Finish this sentence. J.P. Lattimore is…
A leader.