Oakland University’s Jack Gohlke made headlines in this year’s NCAA Tournament with a shocking performance that led to a first-round upset against the Kentucky Wildcats. Gohlke scored 32 points off the bench, making 10 three-pointers on 20 attempts. Since then, Gohlke has been thrust into the spotlight and has been overwhelmed by the attention and opportunities that have come his way. He has been participating in events like the Final Four three-point contest and the NABC All-Star Game, where he has met players and coaches from across the country who recognize him for his impressive performance.
While many mid-major players have led their teams to upset victories in the NCAA Tournament over the years, there have been discussions about expanding the tournament, which could make it harder for smaller schools like Oakland to secure a spot in the bracket. Gohlke believes that there is a certain magic to the tournament as it is and that it should not be changed. He acknowledges the hard work put in by players at Power 5 schools but believes that mid-majors also deserve the opportunity to compete for a spot in the tournament.
Great performances in the NCAA Tournament can open doors for mid-major players like Gohlke off the court. Following his impressive showing against Kentucky, Gohlke received opportunities for name, image, likeness (NIL) deals. As an accounting major and MBA student, he landed a fitting deal with TurboTax that has been life-changing for him. Social media quickly picked up on his accounting background, leading to memes that his teammates teased him with. Gohlke believes that the partnership with TurboTax made sense given his major and the attention he was receiving.
For players from higher seeds in the NCAA Tournament, great performances can lead to life-changing opportunities. Gohlke hopes that more players from mid-major schools will have similar chances in the future. Despite all the attention and opportunities that have come his way, Gohlke remains focused on his basketball career and hopes to continue making an impact on the court for Oakland University. He urges fans to follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for the latest updates on college basketball and other sports news.
