After breaking his leg in just the second game of the season, Jacobsen got the chance to grow and learn from a perspective he wasn’t used to.
Promising Purdue Boilermakers freshman center Daniel Jacobsen had seemingly started the season off exceeding the already high expectations that were being placed on him. After gaining the start in the first game against Texas A&M-CC, the 7’4 big man would go on to score 13 points (4-6), 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. That was a piece of the puzzle many thought would exist with the loss of Zach Edey, but the season took a drastic turn in the very next game.
In just one minute of play, Jacobsen would have a Northern Kentucky player fall and make contact with his leg just below his knee that would see him fall to the floor and be helped to the locker room. He would eventually be diagnosed with a broken tibia and be forced into a medical redshirt that would cost him the rest of the season.
Jacobsen sat down with Hammer and Rails to speak about the injury, his freshman season, and a few other topics like the additions to an already touted roster.
H&R: Daniel, thank you for joining us today. Obviously high expectations entering the season and you showed some of that ability in the one game you were able to play this season. Kind of take us through that initial moment of the injury-the pain, emotions, frustration.
Daniel: “Thanks for having me! Yeah, I mean, everything was feeling pretty good. I mean, in the first game, I thought had a good start, but I had had been dealing with some pain in my legs, like from a stress fracture. I didn’t know about that. I was kind of just playing through and then right away, in the beginning of the second game, I kind of got hit in that spot, which kind of led it to, like, fracture all the way through.”
H&R: So was that something that kind of went back to your senior year…something that maybe was had kind of been festering for a little bit longer than that?
Daniel: “No, it’s just something that developed in the preseason practices which are kind of more intense than what you would go through in high school. So I think it might have just been an overuse kind of thing.”
H&R: Did you kind of know that you were kind of going to be out for an extended amount of time immediately? Then, kind of kind of walk us through that initial recovery process, and kind of what was the biggest challenge that you kind of faced throughout that rehab.
Daniel: “As soon as I went in and got an x ray, we knew it was a fracture at that point. I knew it would be at least three months and I had to get surgery. So I guess, once I had the surgery, it was just just focusing on the recovery and then just trying to stay positive. Just take all the little steps to improve. I mean, like walking and getting off the crutches was a big step, so, but now here we are four months later, and pretty close to 100% healthy.”
H&R: What’s been the biggest takeaway from this injury, because looking back at your career, I don’t think you’ve really dealt with any sort of a big or long term injury that’s taken you away from the game for an extended amount of time.
Daniel: “Yeah. I haven’t really had to deal with something like this before, but it has had silver linings, especially being able to, since I’m not playing, I can take the time to, like, really lift heavy, get stronger, eat a lot, put on weight. Work on things I’ve done and still continue working on things, especially at the end of the summer.”
H&R: So you said that you are really focusing in on adding some weight and strength. How much weight have you put on this so far since the injury and surgery?
Daniel: “Quite a bit. I mean, I was probably at 220 during the season and now I’m up to 250,”
H&R: Near the end of the season, we, you know, Purdue fans kind of saw you were on crutches for, you know, the first several weeks. I think, I think even through the new year and then kind of near the end of the season, you can’t fans kind of started seeing you going through warm up lines. Now, was that just part of your recovery plan, or was there some, any kind of an inkling there that you might make a return at the end of the season?
Daniel: “There was, unfortunately, never really the possibility of me playing. It was just something I wanted to do so I could just, you know it sucks just watching. So I really just wanted to do as much as I could, as I can, trying to be part of the team. Just doing whatever I can.”
H&R: Going along with that, there is some history here with Purdue over the last several years in the program have a high rate of success with some really highly touted players needing a red shirt. Yours kind of aligns there a bit with like Mason Gillis, but guys like Trey come in as a well regarded recruits, red shirt, and they use that to vault them into a pretty successful careers at Purdue. What has been an area where you’ve really focused on, honed in on this year, outside of just lifting, that you identified it as a major need, that when you come back next year, fans are going to be like, Oh, that’s that’s something new, or that’s something that he’s really added to his game.
Daniel: “Yeah. I mean, obviously the main thing was just getting getting healthy. But, I mean, I wouldn’t really say there’s, like, one specific area, other than, like, strength and size that I had been really focusing on. Most of the time I had just been trying to get back to full strength with my leg. But yeah, I mean, I’m working on shooting, ball handling, athleticism. I mean, pretty much just being a better all around player.”
H&R: With that kind of that focus being so heavily on that strength and adding weight because of the injury, you didn’t get to go have the opportunity to play through the rigors of a Big 10 season. Being able to go through the summer and then the preseason stuff alongside some big bodies like Will, Trey, Caleb, and even Cam, was that kind of a surprise to you about how physical those guys in the game can really be at the college level?
Daniel: “Yeah, it was definitely an adjustment, which was really helpful for like, the limited time that I did get to play, and I’m sure it’s going to be even more helpful for when I’m playing in the Big 10 season this coming year. It’s definitely an adjustment from high school, for sure.”
H&R: Coach Brantley is obviously regarded as one of the nation’s premier assistant coaches and obviously has the track record with JuJuan Johnson, AJ Hammonds, Zach, Tayvion Williams, and now with TKR and you. What makes him so good with the big men?
Daniel: “I just say he’s just super knowledgeable and really hands on. He was a player and understands that what he teaches us fits perfectly into the stuff we run. He’ll get in the drills with us and I just feel like that’s really helpful to improve. He really just knows his stuff and he’s honest with us.”
H&R: You and your dad seem to have a great relationship and he’s a pretty vocal parent online, a lot more than what you see from a lot of other parents at the college level. Kind of explain your relationship with him, and maybe how that relationship kind of helped you maybe kind of stay a little bit more even keeled and really positive through this injury and recovery.
Daniel: “Yeah. I mean, he’s been there for me through the good and bad my entire basketball career. I wouldn’t be able to deal with it as well as I have without him, so I’m really grateful for that. Especially, especially through the injury. I mean, he was here for my surgery and for the first few weeks of recovery afterwards. Both of my parents really helped me get through this and hopefully come out the other side better than I started.”
H&R: So then having to sit back on the bench, like you said, and kind of having to watch. What do you think is probably the biggest takeaway you learned from just being able to have a visual on the game instead of being in the game?
Daniel: “Yeah, I mean, there’s definitely you pick up more things watching sometimes than you do actually being on the court. So I was able to watch, just in person and on film, like Trey and like other guy, like other other opposing players, a bunch of our guys in film, which is, let me be able to, like, pick up and learn things and kind of a different way, but it’s been helpful.”
H&R: Purdue has had a couple really good pickups in the portal and will add those guys into the fold. Adding Oscar, and Liam, along with you, Trey, and Raleigh, speak about how that that frontcourt can really be a strength for Purdue next season.
Daniel: “Yeah, I mean, I think we have a great rotation. We’re going to be really deep, well rounded, have a lot better size this year. We have a bunch of good players, smart but guys that can play in the system, play with our guards, especially Braden. I mean, I’m really excited for it. I think it’s going to be super fun.”
“For me personally, I don’t have to be like a super ball dominant player. I can set screens, catch lobs, shoot from outside, just kind of do whatever I need to do within whatever we’re running. Then defensively, I provide a lot of rim protection, which is valuable. It’s something we probably lacked a little bit this year.”
H&R: You kind of mentioned playing with Braden. People obviously see the kind of player he is on the court. His stats and awards kind of speak for themselves, right? But kind of speak to him, maybe as a teammate and maybe kind of a leader, that a lot of fans maybe don’t see or get the opportunity to see on a day to day basis.
Daniel: “Yeah, he’s a great leader, great teammate, every day. Really supportive. He’s a really such a smart player, like, I would say he makes everyone around him better on the court. Then, just in general, he’s the best point guard out there.”
H&R: You got a little bit of an experience with the NCAA tournament, and obviously a little bit different than playing in it but kind of explain how you felt and how that final game against Houston in the Sweet 16 could be a motivating factor for you guys next year?
Daniel: “Yeah, it was an incredible game, obviously, wish I could have played, but it was still really cool to watch. Even just learning things from the sideline. The environment was super cool, and I think it’s was outside of Mackey Arena, it was the best environment we were in all year. I mean, it was obviously cool being inside a football [Lucas Oil] Stadium. It was really different, but it was super cool, really loud. It was great to play in front of our home fans in Indy. I think that’s just gonna make us work even harder next year and get back to the Final Four and then win the whole thing.”
“We don’t really focus on preseason polling stuff too much. We’re all really excited for next year, but we’re just kind of focusing on what we have here. Trying to compare ourselves to us.”
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Daniel’s father, Rob Jacobsen, was also gracious enough to sit with us and provide some insight on Daniel’s injury and his perspective during Daniel’s first season at Purdue.
H&R: Daniel mentioned you came out to stay with him immediately following the injury and surgery. What was that like for you and the family?
Rob Jacobsen: “It was very difficult at first, to be honest. These kids all work super hard to get where they’re at. Daniel had just earned a chance to help the team, and to have that taken away was a really tough blow. In addition, it was a beautiful sunny fall weekend on campus, with the first huge home game vs Alabama, and Daniel was stuck in bed…! Ugh. On the flip side, we were able to take a few days to get through the worst and really focus in on his icing and rehab routine, etc. such that he would be as independent as possible going forward.”
H&R: Did you learn anything new about the program being closer to it in the midst of the season?
Rob Jacobsen: “Not sure if we learned anything new necessarily, but we were definitely reminded what a great group of people Purdue basketball is. We were super grateful for the ton of support Daniel received from the whole coaching staff, medical and training staff, and all the players and their parents.”
H&R: Have you seen a growth in Daniel personally, physically, etc. following the injury and rehab?
Rob Jacobsen: “100%, yes. As soon as he was able, Daniel really embraced his new role in the red shirt program and all that entails. Personally, I rreminded Daniel of the silver lining in that he would use the year to work on his body, work on his game, and grow – this would be his contribution to the program this season. As such, every single day Daniel has been in the weight room and practice gym working. The results are definitely showing, which has been great to see. His weight is way up and his body will be much more ready for B1G play.”
H&R: Daniel said he had never really been injured before so this was a new experience for him. What would you say was his biggest hurdle prior to breaking his leg this past season?
Rob Jacobsen: “Daniel’s biggest hurdle prior to the injury was probably truly embracing the new level of physicality of high major basketball, which is probably the case for many freshman. He had played at a high level high school with a national schedule and lived away from home, so those things really helped to prepare him. But, jumping into the full time nature of an elite basketball program with the lengthy and physical practices was a challenge for sure.”
H&R: What was the most difficult part of this past season for you as a father?
Rob Jacobsen: “The most difficult part of the past season for me (and Mom!) was first and foremost seeing our kid go down in pain and then getting the news the injury would keep Daniel out for the year. On top of that our other son, Eric, who is a junior at Brewster and was really starting to turn it on, went down in February with a torn ACL. So having both boys go out with injuries and for the first time not be able to see either play was difficult. The family theme has been: with big challenges come big opportunities!! In Daniel’s case, he’s putting in the work, he’s ready to go physically, and I know he’s really looking forward to the huge opportunity this next season presents for Purdue basketball!”