Prospect Spotlight: Kaeden Laws (2021)
Kaeden Laws had to play a lot of minutes as a true freshman last season for Center Hill High School, and going into his sophomore season, things won’t be much different.
Because of Laws’ size and athleticism, Mustangs coach Newton Mealer will need the rising forward on the floor for scoring, defense, and rebounding. Laws is Center Hill’s second best scoring option outside of senior guard Calvin Temple, who will most likely lead the team in points.
Standing at 6-foot-4, weighing 175-pounds, Laws can use his upper body strength to finish through contact. If Mealer needs Laws to play a full game, he will be able to do so. He’s a talent that takes good care of his body, and stays in shape year round. His mid-range game is where it needs to be in his early years of high school.
Laws is a very unselfish player, with quick intentions to find the open man whenever he sees a double team coming his way. He has the ingredients to be a solid combo forward, the type of player that will force defenses to rethink things on almost every offensive possession.
In the Jerry Peters Memphis Summer Classic, Laws finished with 51 points, 23 rebounds, and six assists. He made six 3s, and went 9 for 11 from the free throw line. During the six games, Laws showed the potential to be a solid No. 2 scoring option, with his ability to score from different spots on the floor.
Laws’ game is built similar to former Oregon and current Memphis Grizzlies small forward Dillon Brooks. He’s still young, and needs to improve on his 3-point shooting, ball handling, lateral quickness, versatility, and on-ball and help-side defense. But, the potential to be a complete player is there.
“I feel like if people would compare me to him, I would be happy with that,” Laws said.
Laws is a patient kid, refusing to rush the process. Instead, he’s trusting the process of his performance on the court. Laws is enjoying the labor he’s putting in each day he’s in the gym. Laws’ dad, Kolumn Laws, has him watching highlights of former NBA player Tayshaun Prince, who was known for his defensive tenacity during his career.
Kaeden Laws is learning his competitive nature from past and present players.
“I love to compete sometimes. There are days when I wake up, I feel like playing against somebody,” he said. “I always want to play against somebody.”
Last month, Laws was invited to the Memphis Elite Camp to play alongside some of the best talent in the state of Tennessee and Mississippi.
Laws was also invited to Ole Miss Elite Camp last month, and the Rebels’ staff were impressed with Laws’ game. Other schools such as Memphis, UT-Martin, and the University of Arkansas Little-Rock are showing interest in the forward.