Jacob Cetera

Co Founder and Co Executive Director; Secretary

Jacob graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 2009 to then attend Quinnipiac University and was captain of the cross-country team during his final two seasons. Jacob graduated in 2015, earning his doctorate in physical therapy, and is now the lead physical therapist at Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies in Westmont, Illinois, and focuses on treating children with special needs.

“My life motto has always been ‘be nice and do good’. It’s heartbreaking to see all the violence in Chicago, and how it is destroying families and communities. Basketball and the basketball community have taught me many valuable life lessons as well as given me some of my closest friends in life. By joining Shoot for the Stars, I get to fulfill my passion for helping underserved communities that I genuinely care about, and help mold the next generations to be exceptional, outstanding, and self-sustaining individuals.”

Jacob grew up playing youth basketball at Loyola Park District in Rogers Park where he met Charles, Juice, and Greg Tucker Jr., not knowing all of them, and more from Loyola Park would end up at the same high school.

“I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing the day I found out about Greg’s tragedy. When I think about that day, I get a knot in my stomach. To be in a position to keep Greg’s legacy going and to help our community learn and grow to achieve a more peaceful and community-oriented Chicago means the world to me. We need more love in this world.”