Prospect Spotlight: Jayden Crist (2021)
Ryle is only 2 months removed from cutting the nets at Rupp but the returning members of the Lady Raiders have not shifted their focus from getting back. Coming off a season where she played 34 games, Junior Jayden Crist…
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Continue ReadingRyle is only 2 months removed from cutting the nets at Rupp but the returning members of the Lady Raiders have not shifted their focus from getting back. Coming off a season where she played 34 games, Junior Jayden Crist is ready for a bigger role and anticipating a return to Rupp. Crist tells me that she’s most known for her motor and hustling, “If I see the ball going out of bounds I’m going to try and save that ball. Every possession counts and I give it my all. I’m also a big talker. I always make sure my teammates and I are aware of what is going on, on the court. I try to be a leader on the court. I encourage my teammates and make sure we all are on the same page.”
Heading into her Junior season at Ryle, Crist is working on improving her weaknesses and taking her strengths to the next level. She acknowledges her need to be a better ball handler, “I tend to dribble a little too long while making a play. It can cause me to make a turnover or miss a opportunity either from me or my teammates. Along with her areas for improvement, Jayden is going to be a mismatch for opposing teams with her size, “My strengths as a player would be my versatility and strength for sure. I can attack the basket hard. I can create ways to attack the basket. Although I’m usually a power forward, I can also step out and shoot the ball too.”
Jayden was also blessed to be a part of the 2019 State Championship Ryle Lady Raiders and is extremely proud of her team’s accomplishments. “My high school season was great. We won the first state championship title at Ryle High School in the history of both boys and girls basketball. Although I did not get to start Varsity, I was the second or third person off the bench and got some good minutes in some big games. When my coaches need someone to box out or be aggressive with someone I would always step up. Being a part of a team with D1 commits is very exciting, they are making me better as a player and also as a person.”
Crist is also enjoying a good AAU season. She is part of Kentucky Storm Elite 2021 Team Anderson and having a lot of fun and getting lots of wins. “So far this AAU season has been great. We are 11-4 and we were Runners Up in the Lauren Hill Classic tournament in Cincinnati. My team and I are becoming closer as teammates and friends. We always are motivating each other and understanding what everyone’s roles are on the court . We are all working towards being better players and giving every game our all.” Right now, Jayden isn’t getting the college looks she probably commands but is looking for that to change this summer, “I plan on grabbing some college interest in our last couple of tournaments in July.”
Coming off of a State Title season, Ryle is focused on defending their championship. Jayden also has some lofty individual goals for her Junior season, “I plan on starting varsity. I will continue to work on my shooting and ball handling. Getting better every game and every practice. I want to be in the best shape possible and work on being the best player I can be. Also I would like to get some college interest and college offers and go on recruiting visits. If Ryle is going to be a legitimate contender to repeat, the emergence of a player like Jayden Crist is going to go a long way towards getting them back to Rupp Arena. Don’t be surprised if she is a breakout player this season.