How does a teenager from Auckland’s North Shore end up winning a U.S. college basketball national championship in front of 70,000 fans?
That’s exactly what we explored in our recent Friday night webinar with Jack Salt — former University of Virginia starter, NCAA Champion, and now mentor to the next generation of student-athletes through Platform Sports.
But this wasn’t your typical highlight reel conversation. It was real, raw, and packed with wisdom for young athletes and parents considering the U.S. college pathway. Jack didn’t just talk about success — he opened up about setbacks, homesickness, academics, injuries, pressure, imposter syndrome, and what it really takes to make it in college sport.
Here’s what stood out.
Jack Salt wasn’t some overnight prodigy with a perfect transcript. In fact, he failed maths in Year 12. But what he lacked in polish, he made up for in grit.
It wasn’t until his final years at Westlake Boys’ High School — playing alongside names like Tai Webster and Rob Loe — that college basketball became a real option. But it was a chance encounter with Kiwi legend Kirk Penney (and a classic “mum moment”) that ended up being the connection that launched him to Virginia, where Penney’s best friend was head coach Tony Bennett.
That’s the first lesson: relationships matter. Sometimes it’s not about being discovered — it’s about starting a conversation, asking questions, and making your own luck.
Despite his athletic talent, Jack nearly missed out on his opportunity. “I scraped through my required maths credits by 6 percent,” he admitted.
Looking back, he wishes he had started his academic prep earlier. “If you even think college could be a pathway for you — start in Year 10 or 11,” he says. “Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
His story is a reminder that talent opens the door, but academics keep it open. And as Jack said, “Working with a team like Platform Sports helps — because they track your grades and make sure you’re on the right path.”
Virginia isn’t just any school — it’s one of the most competitive programs in college basketball. Jack played alongside (and against) names like Zion Williamson, Donovan Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox, and Jalen Brunson. Two of his former teammates now play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But for Jack, what defined his college years wasn’t just the competition — it was the culture.
He described Virginia as a place where values were “not just talked about, but lived.” The team’s five core pillars were grounded in integrity, service, and humility — values Jack carries with him today.
And that’s a lesson for every athlete: find a school that reflects who you are, not just what you want to achieve.
“Every day I walked into training thinking, ‘What am I doing here?’” Jack said. “These guys were dunking between their legs and shooting 50 threes in a row without warming up.”
But he stayed in the fight. He showed up, worked hard, and embraced what he calls “the less sexy stuff” — screens, rebounds, box-outs, and being a great teammate.
He reminded athletes that the U.S. system is built to support them — but only if they’re coachable, consistent, and willing to grow through the discomfort.
It’s not always the flashiest player that gets recruited — it’s the one who brings value to a team. Coaches look for toughness, accountability, and how you respond under pressure.
As Jack put it: “They want to see how you react when a foul doesn’t get called. Are you throwing your hands up or sprinting back on D?”
Highlight tapes are important, but full-game footage — the off-ball movement, effort on defense, reactions to mistakes — that’s where the real evaluations happen.
Some athletes wonder if they should skip college and go straight pro. Jack has a clear answer:
“College isn’t just about sport. It’s about the people you meet, the values you build, the independence you gain. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime window to grow in every part of your life.”
He’s right. College sport gives you a support system, structure, and four years to refine your craft while earning a degree — and now, with NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), it can also offer real earning potential.
The best advice Jack ever received came from a friend who now runs one of New Zealand’s most successful companies:
“Stay in the fight.”
Whether you’re dealing with rejection, navigating injury, or stuck in a performance slump — keep showing up. Build a routine. Trust the process. Lean on your support network.
Because the athlete who stays in the fight the longest is the one who usually wins.
If Jack’s story resonated with you, don’t wait. Whether you’re a basketballer, footballer, swimmer, or runner — the U.S. college system could be your launchpad. But only if you take that first step.
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The next national champion could be reading this right now. Why not you?
