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Jace Opoku: Bigger, Stronger, and Still Humble
Jace Opoku doesn’t need an introduction in West Michigan basketball circles.
The Rockford Sophomore is ranked by some as the top player in Michigan in the 2029 class.
He helped lead Rockford to a State Championship and was recently selected to a USA Basketball training camp — the kind of credential that puts a player in front of NBA and college coaches.
He made a deliberate choice to start training at PowerStrength to prepare for his second year with the Rams. 3 months in, and his decision is helping him raise his game.
A DELIBERATE PRIORITY
For athletes who have so much talent, they can sometimes let that talent carry them. Or they do what they’re already good at or enjoy – ignoring weak points or gaps in their athleticism.
Not Jace. He has big aspirations, and he’s chosen to make strength training a central part of how he prepares.
“Especially at the Varsity level and higher-level basketball, it’s physical — you use your body a lot,” he said. “The more you can use your body, especially with the fatigue part, it helps. I don’t feel tired on the court anymore, just because of what we’re doing here.”
Less fatigue late in games, more physicality against bigger competition, and the confidence knowing you’re prepared – it’s invaluable.
THE START
Jace could choose anything and anyone to help. What stood out about PowerStrength is what many athletes say – it’s the like-minded people who are serious.
“I did a little bit before with a personal trainer, where I focused on myself,” he said. “But I like doing this at PowerStrength because I get to do it with good people, a lot of group work. I get to meet new faces, and it’s prioritized work that helps you on the court and off it.”
THE RESULTS
Jace has seen measurable change in both his body and his game in a relatively short time period.
“I’ve definitely noticed it with my strength, and how I look overall,” he said. “I’ve put on about eight pounds since I started — I’m at 175lbs now.”
He’s set his sights on being 180lbs by the start of the season, and he’s on track.
The goal is to add useful muscle while being able to display force quickly – this shows up in his power and athleticism.
“I’ve also increased my vertical, which helps a lot.”
THE CONFIDENCE SHIFT
Jace has spent much of his career playing up against older, bigger competition — and the physical development from PowerStrength has changed how that feels.
“I’ve always played against older kids, but as I’ve gotten bigger, when I’m facing tougher, bigger competition, I can use my body more,” he said. “On defense, I don’t get pushed around as much.”
That shift goes beyond the physical and shows up mentally.
“I used to be a little intimidated. But as I’ve gotten bigger and stronger, it’s not really an intimidating factor anymore. It’s kind of like — I’m bigger than you, I’m stronger than you. So it’s easier for me.”
On the court, that strength has transferred in specific areas to help him be a more dynamic player.
“I’m a bigger guard, so I use my body a lot more,” he said. “I can get defenders off me a little easier — lowering my shoulder, bumping off them. I create a lot of separation getting into my lay-up or getting into my shot. And even when I’m shooting, I can shoot longer threes now, longer shots.”
SETTING THE STANDARD
For Jace, the drive behind all of this goes beyond basketball — it’s a competitive mindset he applies everywhere.
“I like working, whether it’s on the court, off the court, or in school,” he said. “I like being first in everything I do, because it sets a standard for myself, no matter what. At the end of the day, if you’re working hard, good things are going to come.”
THE COACHES
Jace credits the PowerStrength coaches with developing more than just his physical game, but also those little lessons that show up as a strong person, in leadership, and being a quality teammate.
“They’re great people overall,” he said. “At the end of every session, they talk to us about how to be better people — not just in the sport, but in school and everywhere else. Everything you do carries out who you are, so you want to be a good friend, a good son, good at everything you can to help your image overall.”
LEADERSHIP OVER INDIVIDUAL GLORY
With multiple Division I offers already, including Iowa State, West Virginia, and CMU, and a path toward USA Basketball’s U17 national team in front of him, Jace maintains a humble, and grounded focus.
“The offers come along the way with everything you do,” he said. “But I just want to be a better teammate and a better leader for my high school team right now, because you can’t win games by yourself at this level. You have to put as much into your teammates and your coaches as you do into yourself. We have a good foundation at Rockford, and a good program — but I’m working on a lot of things other than just what I’m already good at in basketball, so we can help the team overall.”
Up next for Jace is the USA Basketball camp in Colorado Springs from October 8th through 12th. This is one of several opportunities to compete with 60-80 selected players in his class from around the country in front of NBA coaches and college coaches.
A strong showing can lead to a callback camp in April, with a path toward representing the U.S. on the U17 national team.
IT’S WORKING
Asked to reflect on his time at PowerStrength so far, Jace’s answer reflects the same focused mindset that runs through everything he said.
“Whatever I’m doing is working,” he said.
Asked to sum up what PowerStrength has meant to him, his answer left little room for doubt.
“PowerStrength just helps you overall with literally everything in life — your character, how you carry yourself, how you are physically, mentally, and as a person,” he said. “PowerStrength is amazing.”
WANT TO SEE BIG RESULTS?
3rd–12th grade athletes of all sports and ability levels can sign up at PowerStrength at any time throughout the year while spots remain. Choose the PowerStrength location most convenient for you — Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, Holland, or Byron Center. Visit powerstrengthpro.com/athlete/contact/ to learn more or click below to schedule your assessment and get started.