6/4/2025

(PUYALLUP, WA)

Chelan High School alumni basketball talent Dylan Jay, after redshirting at West Virginia University heads back to Washington state to play his college basketball at Pierce College on a tuition scholarship. For Dylan, the return to Pierce reunites him with his former AAU Coach Keith Green, who serves as an assistant on Head Coach Brian Kovacevich’s staff. The move serves as the next chapter for Jay after a health scare in January of this year.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to commit to Pierce-right here in the 253. After spending last year at West Virginia and dealing with a health setback, I’m excited for a fresh start and the chance to get back on the court.” 

“Big thanks to Coach K and Coach Green for believing in me, and to my family and friends who supported me through everything– even when I was in the hospital. I also want to thank the WVU staff for the opportunity and for being there during that time.”

“I’m locked in and ready to get to work.” -Dylan Jay

His new head coach could not be more excited to have Jay back in Washington in a statement saying:

“We at Pierce College are excited to be a part of Dylan’s journey. It will be exciting to see him progress over the next few months. We look forward to having the program impacted by his hunger, drive, and character.” – Head Coach Brian Kovacevich

Dylan’s journey to Pierce College began five years ago when Jay was only an eighth grader. With his family on the verge of moving from Puyallup to Chelan, Jay emailed a number of college coaches to tell them of his new address. Out of all the schools he wrote to, only one coach wrote him a letter in the mail…Pierce College Head Coach Brian Kovacevich.

The letter reads:

Dylan,

Thanks for reaching out. As a former 4-year college coach. I have had the opportunity to coach a few players from Chelan HS. I am excited to watch you compete over these next few years. You are growing up in a great area for basketball! – Coach Kovacevich

Dylan returns to Washington after redshirting with the Big 12’s West Virginia Mountaineers. He had found himself at right home at WVU until in late January before a road trip to Kansas State where his story took an unexpected turn. “I had a great practice that night and began my normal recovery routine” Jay remarked. Little did he know his life would undergo a seismic change. “I came down with horrible stomach pain and then I started throwing up from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. I called 911 and paramedics found me face down on the floor unconscious.”

Paramedics rushed Jay to the hospital where he was found to have intussusception (a potentially fatal blockage in his body). At the hospital, Dylan’s stomach wall got infected, building more of an uphill climb in his journey. Jay spent stints in different hospital rooms which included the ICU. In the end, Jay lost 30 pounds and spent 38 days on a ventilator before being able to breathe fresh air again.

Although his time in the hospital threw a wrench into his time on the court, his classroom dedication did not waver. Dylan finished the semester with a 3.5 GPA even after missing five weeks of school while on a ventilator. Jay won WVU’s Petal Palmer Award for maintaining his academic excellence amidst health trials and adversity.

One of his inspirations during the trial came from the Bible from 1st Peter 5:10 which says, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Through the health scare, Jay developed a new perspective from his experience. His biggest takeaway is that God’s plan supersedes his plans and dreams. He learned to never let up in faith and put his trust in the Lord.

Jay looks back positively on his time with West Virginia. “My time at Morgantown was amazing. It was truly the best possible place I could have been straight out of high school, the fan support there was one of the best,” Jay says.

Dylan’s journey from high school started at Chelan HS, a three-hour drive northeast from Seattle. It was there Jay averaged 23 ppg his junior year the most in Washington’s 1A classification. In his senior year, Jay walked on at Phoenix (AZ) Phhoenix Prep. Jay got to experience talent with many teammates who were Division 1 bound. “It was great, all of us had the same goals, so the lifestyle shaped me for the next level.”

Although Chelan and Phhoenix Prep prepared him, it all starts at home for Dylan with his father Paul and mother Maria.

“My mom and dad have been there every step of the journey, I owe it back to them. They did everything to make it possible for me to be where I’m at. Through all the ups and downs they were with me every step of the journey. I cannot wait to make them proud with what’s next.” – Dylan Jay

Dylan’s father Paul said in a statement about his son’s transfer to Pierce College.

“I’m proud of the rehab process Dylan has made so far as he prepares to bring his high level skillset to Pierce College Raiders basketball program this fall.  His length on defense, high energy, and ability to knock down 3’s will make an impact as the Raiders compete for the NWAC title. We are very appreciative of Coach K and Coach Green giving Dylan an opportunity to represent Pierce College basketball this upcoming season!”

Jay’s mindset is to make it back to playing Division 1 basketball again, even after a health scare changed his life. Knowing he has worked to be at every step he had treaded on the journey, Jay strives to be “a humble worker that wants to compete.” He looked for a school that felt like family and a place where he could grow and have fun.

Although Dylan intends to be back to playing Division 1 hoops again, for now his talents shift from the 304 back to the 253.

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