BLOOMINGTON — Once Jonah Funk adjusted his frame of mind, the El Paso-Gridley junior became a whole new player.

“Really, I’ve just been playing with some really good players,” Funk said, “and studying a lot of players just to try and change up my mentality. I feel like I’m very skilled in the game of basketball, but the thing I’m lacking is my mentality.”

Two things have helped with this change, according to the 6-foot-9 forward. He says putting himself in "uncomfortable situations and (trying to) execute from there" during open gyms, while watching the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. He does not necessarily model his game after the NBA legends, but being like them as "someone that will step on the floor and leave everything they have on the floor."

“That’s what I want to be like,” Funk said, “and that’s where I feel like I can achieve really high goals.”

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So far, so good for the NCAA Division I prospect, who is coming off a huge week at the State Farm Holiday Classic. He was named to the all-tournament team after averaging a double-double — 17.8 points and 12.8 rebounds — and helping lead the Titans to a thrilling comeback small-school title game victory. He went for 19 points and 14 rebounds against St. Joseph-Ogden in the championship following a 14-point, 18-rebound performance in the semifinals.

EPG coach Nathaniel Meiss has seen steady growth over the last year from Funk, who boasts a 7-foot wingspan.

“He has come a long way from the beginning of his sophomore season,” Meiss said. “I think he’s become more physical and he’s still going to become more physical. I think he just continues to get better every day.”

Not only are the results evident to his coach, but teammates are seeing Funk’s development, as well.

“He’s just gotten so much tougher,” El Paso-Gridley junior guard Micah Meiss said, “stronger and it’s like his mindset has completely changed like, ‘No one can stop me in the paint’ and he’s just dominating down there.

“(On the) defensive end, too. He’s always had great timing with shot blocking and it’s just gotten better and better, so he’s a force in the paint and he’s got to be reckoned with.”

Funk, who is averaging 15.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks, has also relied on a family to help hone his game. Codey Funk, a 2011 EPG grad, is Funk’s first cousin and someone with whom he’s communicating.

The older Funk was a first-team Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-stater as a senior, posting 15.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. He went on to play college football for Abilene Christian and Pittsburg State as a 6-foot-6, 303-pound offensive lineman.

Usually, the pair will discuss how to continue to dominate the paint among other things.

“We kind of give each other a little smack talk,” Funk said, noting he views his cousin as a role model, “trying to decide who’s a better player, who would win in 1v1. His prime versus my prime.”

As for Funk’s future, Eastern Illinois is the lone Division-I school to offer. However, he has made an unofficial visit to Iowa, while receiving some Illinois interest.

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One question, though, remains: is he done growing?

“I feel like I’m growing,” he said, “because I’m eating a lot and I’m sleeping a lot, so I think I am.”

A 12-point loss to Pontiac on Dec. 1 may be looked back as a turning point on this season. The 15-year coach says following that defeat, something clicked and everyone, especially Funk, has played harder in practices and in games.

This jumpstarted a 10-game winning streak as El Paso-Gridley (13-2, 3-0) hits the road to play Heart of Illinois host Downs Tri-Valley (12-3, 3-0) on Friday.

“We’ll take it,” the elder Meiss said, “because we’re heading the right way.”

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

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA basketball profile of El Paso-Gridley junior Jonah Funk