Prospect Spotlight: Jaylen Jones (2018)
2018 guard Jaylen Jones took home the MVP at The Top Rank Showcase Orlando last weekend after a strong performance.
The 6’0″, 163-pound Booker guard showed off his quick first step all afternoon throughout the training sessions and scrimmages. He says this is what he learned from his junior season.
“To stay within the team you don’t have to go one on five and it’s a team game,” Jones told Prep Hoops Florida. “Part of my game that grew is my jumper and me attacking to the hole smarter to dish or score.”
Jones has been on the Tornadoes varsity team for the last three seasons and helped Booker (18-9) knock off Jesuit in the Class 6A region quarterfinal in February. He called his head coach Markus Black, a great coach and someone who he appreciates.
“He keeps it real with me and never lets me slack off,” he said. “He’s like an older brother to me.”
He’ll be playing for Impact Elite for the first time this summer.
“What I’m focused on this summer is what I was focused on all year just trying to make my game better, plan on not losing any tournaments and trying to get an offer,” he said.
Starting his basketball life at age 5, Jones says his biggest strengths are his handles, attack to the hoop and ability to get his teammates involved. He’s aiming to improve his shooting, taking smarter shots, being more aggressive and getting his teammates involved at all times.
Jones has yet to receive an offer or interest but says his favorite college is Miami. He watches UCLA, Duke, Kentucky and LSU a lot and was impressed the way Antonio Blakeney was able to make it out of the same city as him.
He made a splash at the Top Rank Showcase and I know he’ll do the same this summer for Impact Elite. If he can continue to attack the basket and rack up those assists, he’ll bring that into his senior season at Booker and turn some heads.