Jason Whitens of North Central cradles the Class D basketball championship trophy on Saturday after the Jets beat Buckley 78-69 for their third straight crown. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Dennis Grall)

EAST LANSING — Jason Whitens earned a state championship ring for his thumb at Michigan State University on Saturday morning, but surprisingly has not landed a college scholarship in basketball or football.

The North Central High School standout who claimed his share of a third straight Class D boys basketball championship is a two-time Associated Press Class D Player of the Year. He shared this year’s honor with Bryce Washington of Southfield Christian, which the Jets beat 84-83 in double overtime in Thursday’s semifinal.

Whitens, playing quarterback the past two seasons, led NC to consecutive eight-player football state titles and was the AP’s Player of the Year both times.

With Whitens and an excellent group of teammates in both sports, the Jets have won a state-record 83 consecutive basketball games and 26 straight football games.

The University of Wisconsin and Central Michigan University have been in contact with Whitens about playing football.

On Saturday, after the Jets defeated Buckley 78-69 in the finale to extend their national-best active win streak, Whitens spoke with Northern Michigan University basketball coach Bill Sall in the hallway near the Jets’ locker room.

Meanwhile, a few steps away, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo was talking to Whitens’ father Gerald and NC basketball coach Adam Mercier. Izzo then addressed the entire North Central team in their locker room.

Izzo has already signed 6-foot-8 Mr. Basketball runner-up Xavier Tillman of Grand Rapids Christian and 6-foot guard Foster Loyer of Class A state champion Clarkston for next season. Whitens finished third in the Mr. Basketball voting by state coaches, a tally won by Isaiah Livers of Kalamazoo Central.

Whitens, on his high school spring break this week, has a visit planned to Wisconsin-Green Bay next week and also has basketball offers from CMU and Lake Superior State. A Grand Valley State University coach was also in the hallway Saturday.

Mercier made an impassioned plea on Whitens’ behalf at Saturday’s postgame press conference, using the podium to address the lack of attention his 6-5, 210-pound point guard-forward has received.

“You never see him lose. What else does he have to do to get interest from colleges? He’s a winner,” Mercier said, indicating he believes Whitens is more qualified than a lot of players currently on college rosters.

Basketball scholarship offers cannot be signed until April 20, giving Whitens plenty of time to ponder his future.

“I believe I can play at the highest level,” Whitens said after the press conference. “You put me in any scenario, I’m going to work harder than anyone. That’s always been my motto. I’m going to play with a chip on my shoulder.”