Today we’d like to introduce you to JEFF JAY.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started playing basketball because of my grandmother and my mom. Before that, I had tried pretty much every sport out there. But we’re from a small island in Colombia called Providence, and over there, basketball is a power sport. My grandma and mom always reminded me that I’m an islander, and on the island, we either swim, play baseball, or play basketball. That identity really stuck with me. One Christmas, my mom gave me my first basketball, and that moment was the beginning of my love story with the game. From there, I never looked back.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
no, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Throughout my career, I’ve been tested to the max—both mentally and physically. It started with a serious car accident that left me with five spine fractures. I had to stop playing basketball and pretty much doing anything for a long time. I had to relearn how to use my body, which was incredibly difficult.
That same year, in 2020, a Category 5 hurricane hit our island and destroyed everything. We lost what we had spent a lifetime building. I remember during those hard days, my friends and I made a basketball hoop out of plywood and an old rim we found. We played barefoot every day because that’s all we had—but it kept us going.
Then in 2024, I was hit with dengue fever. I was intubated for four weeks, lost all my muscle, and was completely drained. The doctors told my mom it would be easier for me to die than to get better. They say it’s truly a miracle that I’m still here today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currently a student-athlete, playing basketball. I’m known and respected for my work ethic, my resilience, and the positive attitude I bring to every challenge. No matter what I face, I always try to keep pushing forward with focus and determination. I’m a true hard worker—I really believe that nothing in life is given, and everything should be earned through effort and dedication. That mindset is what sets me apart.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
is not a podcast or anything like that. But I do have an audio from one of my mentors who is also a pro basketball player which I listen to before a game or when I need a reasurance of how hard I work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffjaywhitaker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Jay-Whitaker/100088737594401/#
