Scouting and Highlights: Jayden Perry (2018)
Jayden Perry is a 5’8″ point guard for the Manton Rangers (Class C). He is widely considered one of the top basketball talents in northern Michigan. While he lacks in height, he makes up for it with quick feet, good…
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Continue ReadingJayden Perry is a 5’8″ point guard for the Manton Rangers (Class C). He is widely considered one of the top basketball talents in northern Michigan. While he lacks in height, he makes up for it with quick feet, good speed, great overall skills and a sharp basketball mind. He can do it all offensively and is solid defensively. He is an old-school pass first point guard but can score efficiently when needed.
Perry has the skills to play at any level. He has the speed and footwork to keep up with more athletic guards at higher levels. Unfortunately for him, he is very short and small, which is a extremely detrimental when trying to get scholarships from high level colleges. It’s hard to guess what level he may end up at, but I believe he could be very useful at the JuCo level. If he grows at all, he will become more able to play at a higher level.
Here’s my take on Perry’s game:
Strengths:
Shooting – He is an all around great shooter. He’s capable of shooting off the dribble or off the catch from any spot on the floor. He elevates well on his shot which helps him get it off over taller defenders. He can hit consistently with a defender in his face contesting the shot. He can put up points fast due to his speed and ability to shoot the three ball at a high rate.
Playmaking – He’s quick, got good handles, good vision and knows how to set up his teammates for an easy shot. He’s so good at creating for others that sometimes it is actually a bad thing, as he doesn’t look for his own shot enough. He can pass with either hand. He plays well off a pick-and-roll, as he’s capable of hitting the roll man from many different angles. Overall, he’s a great passer.
Basketball IQ – Perry is consistently making smart, efficient plays. He doesn’t make dumb passes and he doesn’t force shots. He doesn’t turn the ball over at a high rate. Basketball IQ is one of the most valuable skills to possess and Perry’s is up there with the best of them.
Speed/quickness – He has great footwork both offensively and defensively. He has a quick first step which helps him blow by defenders. He is tough to pressure in the full court due to his speed. Also, this helps him defend taller opponents as he has the speed and quick feet to stay in front.
Areas For Development:
Vertical – While he by no means has a below average vertical, if he wants to perform at a high level in college then he will need to be able to finish at the rim. All the great short guards have exceptional bounce which helps them finish in the lane without getting their shot blocked. An increased vertical would also help Perry contest taller opponent’s shots.
Strength/Weight – While Perry isn’t the skinniest player out there, he isn’t the biggest either. Since he is so small, he will need to put on weight in order to defend bigger, taller opponents. Increased weight would help him offensively by making it easier to finish through contact. He’s only a junior, so he has plenty of time to add weight before college.