'Excited to get things rolling': Division-I basketball prospect transferring to Metamora

‘Excited to get things rolling’: Division-I basketball prospect transferring to Metamora

Posted by Admin October 4, 2024 Basketball

Metamora boys basketball just got a lot bigger.

6-foot-10 all-state senior Jonah Funk says he and his family have moved to the Metamora school district, and the former El Paso-Gridley all-area player will start at the Woodford County high school on Monday. The Division-I prospect told the Journal Star on Friday afternoon his family purchased a home in Germantown Hills.

“Just trying to branch (out) my opportunities, and go somewhere that’s in some big tournaments and is a strict basketball program,” Funk said. “They have really good discipline. I want the discipline they have and I want the workouts they have and the experience they have. You know, just trying be the best basketball player I can, and I feel like they’re going to provide me with the best tools to do that.”

Funk, who holds an offer from Eastern Illinois, says Metamora having a high-exposure schedule played a big factor in his decision. The Redbirds are slated to be at the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions, the Jack Tosh Tournament and the Normal West Midwest Crossroads Shootout. Metamora also has nonconference games scheduled against Chicago Morgan Park, Springfield Lanphier and Evanston.

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Funk averaged 14.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks as a junior for El Paso-Gridley. He’ll join a Metamora program under first-year coach Justin Dehm following the retirement of Danny Grieves, who led the Redbirds to 30 wins and a Class 3A sectional title appearance following the 2023 state championship.

The Redbirds also are no stranger to Division-I talent with Bradley commit Matthew Zobrist entering his final prep season. Peoria Notre Dame transfer Cooper Koch, now graduated, played for Metamora last season and now is a freshman at Iowa.

“I got some chemistry with (Zobrist),” Funk said, noting playing travel basketball with him for Mid-Pro Academy. “He’s a big part of this. I liked to play with him and hopefully, we can do some stuff.”

El Paso-Gridley won 25 games last season and finished second in the Heart of Illinois Conference. The Titans lost in a regional final to PND this past February. Funk says leaving behind all-state guard Micah Meiss will maybe the most difficult part.

“It’s very bittersweet,” Funk said. “I’ll be honest, growing up here and playing with Micah … I really don’t want to leave Micah. I’m excited to just go and branch out and play in a new conference. … I’m very excited to get things rolling over there.”

With just one scholarship offer and no college visits scheduled, Funk says things have really started to take off with the news of him joining Metamora leaked.

“As this transfer went down, my phone’s blowing up,” he said.

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.