Recruiting Report: Jaden Kephart (2017)
One of the better surprises from last month’s Kiwanis Jamboree at Valley High School was Johnston guard Jaden Kephart. He played minimally last season with the Dragons, averaging 1.9 points and less than a rebound per game. But it seems…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOne of the better surprises from last month’s Kiwanis Jamboree at Valley High School was Johnston guard Jaden Kephart.
He played minimally last season with the Dragons, averaging 1.9 points and less than a rebound per game. But it seems this season the 6-foot-1 combo guard will be one of the key components as a starter in the Dragons’ backcourt.
Even with the low minutes as a junior though, Kephart was still able to turns some heads this past offseason while playing grassroots ball.
“During the 17U season when I played for Kingdom Hoops I got some D3 looks from Simpson, Wartburg and Coe College. And as of right now I haven’t decided where I’m going or anything like that, but I have talked to Central Missouri’s coach about walking on and stuff like that,” said Kephart.
“I have not visited any of the D3 schools I named off, but I was invited to Simpson’s elite camp, and D3 basketball is something I would play. Obviously the goal is to go as a high as a I can, but I really love basketball and I feel like I’d do well at a D3 school.”
His talents were on full display at the Jamboree, and it was his ability to get to the hoop paired with an effective outside jumper that made him dangerous.
“I would say my strengths are getting to the basket and creating for other players, my teammates. And I’m a really good standstill shooter, catch and shoot. And I feel I excel at getting to the basket and I have really good court awareness and a high basketball IQ,” said Kephart, who says he’s more comfortable playing point guard as opposed to off guard.
“I like the one better. I feel like I’m very vocal on the court, and the one puts me in a position to be vocal and tell people where I need to go and put people in the right place.”
With his senior season now officially underway, Kephart mentioned what his specific role will be with Dragons.
“This year is going to be more of me having more control over the offense,” he said. “Last year I would come in as a two and my main role was to play defense and shoot the basketball. This year I’ll have more of an impact on the game, compared to last year when I played limited minutes.”