Posted: Apr 17, 2020

Aztecs men's basketball NJCAA All-American Lieppert signs to Rice University

Freshman guard Jake Lieppert (Saguaro HS) signed his national letter of intent to Rice University on Friday. He was named third team NJCAA All-American this season and led the ACCAC conference with 23.7 points per game. Photo courtesy of Jake Lieppert

Pima Community College men's basketball player Jake Lieppert (Saguaro HS) signed his national letter of intent on Friday and will continue his education and collegiate career at the NCAA Division I level.

Lieppert, a 6-3 freshman guard, signed his letter of intent to Rice University in Houston, TX. The Owls play in Conference USA.
He was selected third team NJCAA Division II All-American on Apr. 6; becoming the seventh Aztecs men's basketball player to be named NJCAA All-American and the fifth under coach Brian Peabody in seven years.
Lieppert was named ACCAC Freshman of the Year, first team All-ACCAC and first team All-Region I, Division II. He played and started 30 games for the Aztecs this season as he led the ACCAC conference at 23.7 points per game. He also led the Aztecs with a 41.7 three-point field goal percentage. He shot 48.8 percent from the field to go along with 7.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
"I chose Rice (University) because of its history and culture," Lieppert said. "I get to experience both high level basketball and academics, all while playing under a head coach (Scott Pera) who believes in my abilities."
Lieppert red-shirted the 2018-19 season and has three years of eligibility.

He received scholarship offers from institutions like University of Denver, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Portland State University and the University of South Dakota.