March Madness from MVP to National Champion: Jason Priah’s Basketball Journey

Jason Priah’s Basketball Journey: A Story of Determination and Opportunity

Jason Priah, a 6’5″ standout from VASJ (Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School), had an interesting journey through the world of college basketball. In 2019, Jason was part of the inaugural Free Basketball Showcase in Northeast Ohio, recruiting class but at the time didn’t need it. But it still played a pivotal role in his athletic career later on down the road. He went on to earn the 2024 MVP award at the I.C.Change Basketball Showcase, a significant achievement that helped lead him to his ultimate success with Miami Hamilton, where he and his team clinched the USCAA D2 National Championship.

Jason’s recruiting experience was relatively quiet during his high school years. He received interest from Marietta College, Mount Union, and Fort Valley State University, but no official offers. His first college stop was at Morehouse College in 2019 chasing the D1 dream, where he tried to walk on. He made it to the final cuts, but an injury right before an exhibition game against UAB ended his hopes of securing a spot on the roster. He left Morehouse the following semester due to tuition issues and transferred to Fort Valley State, where he redshirted for the spring 2020 semester. The COVID-19 pandemic then shortened the 2020-2021 season, limiting his playing time to just two games.

Jason’s experience at Miami Hamilton was one of growth and resilience. The team’s playing style was described as “old school,” but Jason embraced the challenge. His team’s hard work culminated in a dramatic win in the USCAA D2 National Championship. Jason was instrumental in the victory, hitting a crucial three-pointer, grabbing important rebounds, and scoring a key backdoor layup. The game ended with a nail-biting finish—Penn State Schuylkill had a chance to tie the game with a last-second three-pointer, but a foot on the line ensured the Harriers claimed the championship.

Photo by Ian Cunningham

Jason reflected on the experience with gratitude, acknowledging the critical role the I.C.Change Basketball Showcase played in his journey. It provided him with an opportunity that led to his success at Miami Hamilton, which Jason believes was all part of God’s plan. Coach Chris Jones of Miami Hamilton was equally appreciative of Jason’s contributions to the team and expressed his excitement about the upcoming showcase in June.

Jason’s basketball skills were evident from his high school career. He played for VASJ and was recognized for his talent on the court:

2015 – AAU Las Vegas National Champion

2016 – Ohio Division 3 State Champion

2018 – NCL First Team All-Conference

2019 – NCL Second Team All-Conference

2024 — MVP at the I.C.Change Basketball Showcase

2024 — USCAA D2 National Champion (Miami Hamilton)

These achievements paved the way for Jason’s continued success in college basketball.

 

Jason Priah’s story serves as a powerful example of perseverance, faith, and the impact of community support. The I.C.Change Basketball Showcase helped open the door to his basketball dreams of winning a national championship, and through hard work, he found success at Miami Hamilton. For Jason, his journey is a reminder that success doesn’t always come immediately, but with dedication, the right opportunities, and support from people like Coach Jones and his family, dreams can be realized in unexpected and rewarding ways.

You can find Jason on his social media pages here:

X – @_1jvson

Instagram – 1jasonpriah