Jacob Canton Returns to Student Athlete Academy as an Official Uniform Partner with His Brand, TryAgain

For Jacob Canton, basketball has always been more than just a game. As a sophomore star at Rutgers Prep, his talent is undeniable. But beyond the court, he’s proving to be just as dynamic—this time as an entrepreneur. Canton has returned to his roots at the Student Athlete Academy (SAA) in a new role, not as a student but as an official uniform partner through his clothing brand, tryAgain.

For Jacob, this moment is personal.

“Returning to Student-Athlete Academy as an alum and now an official uniform partner feels excellent,” Canton shared. “As my mom always tells me, don’t forget the people who help you along the way. SAA played a huge role in where I am today, so when I made my clothing brand, the first place I thought of was SAA—to give back to the kids going through the same journey I had to go through.”

Canton’s journey from a young prospect at SAA to a leader on and off the court exemplifies the very lessons the academy instills in its athletes. Founded and run by Tarik Robinson, SAA is more than a basketball program; it’s a comprehensive development system that has helped shape elite talents like Mia & Mya Pauldo, Michai White, and Kole Grandison. But beyond the skills training and competition, SAA also prepares its athletes for the evolving NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) space.

“At SAA, we’re committed to preparing our student-athletes for success both on and off the field,” Robinson said. “We offer courses like ‘More Than an Athlete’ and ‘365,’ which focus on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Over time, we’ve expanded these courses to not only help our students build their personal brand, logo, and areas of interest but also teach them how to effectively pitch to brands, companies, and potential sponsors.”

Jacob himself benefited from this program while at SAA, even landing his first NIL deal during his time at the academy. Now, he’s paying it forward.

The name of his brand, tryAgain, carries deep meaning.

“In life, everything won’t be handed to you, and not everything will get done in one try,” Canton explained. “So what do you do after that? You try again. That’s something my parents drilled into me since I was a kid—trying over and over again is essential to moving forward in life.”

This mindset, instilled in him at an early age, aligns perfectly with the mission of SAA, where Robinson has long preached the importance of thinking beyond basketball.

“We refer to this as ‘leveraging basketball,’” Robinson said. “With opportunities like brand partnerships, NIL valuation, and fan engagement, young athletes need to recognize their potential beyond the court. Jacob’s journey is a prime example of that.”

During his recent visit to SAA, Canton spoke with the younger athletes, sharing insights from his journey. His message was clear: Believe in yourself and be obsessed with progression.

“Being confident is key,” he told them. “The unseen hours in the gym, the late nights—it all pays off. And the results might not come as fast as they do for others, but if you stay committed, keep building, and keep improving, it will pay off.”

His return has left an impact not just on the students but on the entire academy.

“This is huge, not only for our current student-athletes, some of whom were in school with Jacob and now see full circle what it means to be ‘more than an athlete,’ but also for the younger athletes who look up to him,” Robinson said. “Honestly, this probably means the most to our staff, who consistently emphasize the importance of personal development beyond the court.”

With tryAgain now officially a part of the SAA culture, Jacob Canton is proving that success isn’t just about what happens on the hardwood—it’s about what you build beyond it.

And just like he tells the students at SAA, when obstacles arise, you don’t stop.

You try again.