Mercer Island girls basketball starting guard Jess Blakeslee has verbally committed to play basketball at the University of the Pacific next year.

Blakeslee, a senior who will begin her fourth year as a varsity member of the girls basketball team this winter, has helped the Islanders to back-to-back 3A state tournament appearances during her first two years on the team. This past summer, she played for the Tree of Hope Nike Elite team in the Elite Youth Basketball League.

In 26 games last season, Blakeslee averaged 12.6 points per game, as well as 7.3 rebounds and 2 assists. The Islanders went 17-10, and were one overtime loss away from a third-consecutive trip to the state tournament.