Prospect Update: Jaden Keller (2020)

After a moderately successful 2018-19 campaign and with no starters graduating, expect Waterloo West to be a serious threat next season in Class 4A. You can bet that 6’5 wing Jaden Keller will be among those leading the charge.

Keller helped the Wahawks to a 10-10 record this season, and it’s his size and ability to play and defend a multitude of positions that makes him such an intriguing prospect.

This season, Keller worked to improve both defensively and as a leader.

“I’ve worked on my defense a lot with one of our high school coaches, and worked on getting myself open with some moves and becoming a better scorer,” said Keller.

“I’ve also worked to become a better teammate on and off the court, trying to get the team together as much as I can and hanging out.”

Keller was a do-it-all threat for the Wahawks, and in addition to averaging 7.1 points per game, he averaged team-bests 3.2 assists and 7.4 rebounds.

“As a team we had our ups and downs but we never turned on each other and we stayed together,” said Keller while reflecting on his junior season. “We lost to Cedar Falls (47-42) in the Substate semis, but I think we all know that next year we will be back and better knowing that we only lost one person this year.”

Now, Keller is embarking on his offseason with Martin Bros 17U. He’s been with the program for several years now.

“I’m looking forward to playing with them for my last AAU season and my plan is to win as many tournaments as we can and become a better player and teammate,” said Keller.

“This offseason, I plan on getting stronger and faster. I plan on being in the gym as much as I can to get better.”

He added: “I think this summer I really need to work on my jump shot and getting my handle better just in case I have to play some point guard next year or in the summer.”

There’s been one Division II school that has reached out to Keller so far for recruitment.

“Only one college has contacted me and that was Northwest Missouri State,” he said. “I hope during or after (the summer) more coaches talk to me and at the end of the day I just want to play in college for free.”