Recruiting Report: Jayson Fain (2021)

It’s always fun to see kids grow up right in front of your eyes, and at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo a few weeks back I got the opportunity to check in on my guy Jayson Fain of Carlisle school, a rising junior with a lot of potential who is primed for a breakout season.

The 6’5” forward was one of the top performers in a camp loaded with some under the radar talent, and he got after it in a number of ways. When asked about the camp, one of many he’s been to this fall, he was excited about his performance and the setting in general.

“I think it’s a lot of good competition out here,” he said about the Top 250. “Everyone is playing with intensity, playing fast and I’m just trying to do some things I’m good at.”

Fain has been an up and comer, but has had to take a back seat the last couple of seasons at Carlisle to guys like BJ Fitzgerald, Moses Nuangki and Bryce Hall, all of whom are playing at the next level now. This year however, things are looking a little different for Carlisle who should be able to compete, but it will be up to Fain to help lead them there.

“The biggest thing for me has been trying to become a better leader,” he said. “I’m trying to show these younger guys the steps that I’ve taken over the past few years. I’m coming back with more experience than most of them, so I’m trying to show them the right path.”

One of the most intriguing things about Fain and a reason I believe he’ll be so successful this season for Carlisle is his versatility at his size. At 6’5” he has good length, he can guard and play multiple positions, is a good athlete and is a mismatch on the offensive end. When asked how he would describe his game and what he needs to work on it’s exactly what he said.

“I’d say I’m kind of like a stretch four, play some three guard, can shoot it a little bit and can dribble sometimes, but I know I need to improve my handle.”

While he’s still under the radar to most college coaches, Fain says he’s heard from quite a few already including VMI, Notre Dame College, NC Central, Bluefield and more. While he’s working to make a name for himself, he says he’s mostly focused on just helping his team and knows the recognition will come with it.

“As a team, my goal is to win the conference championship, and individually I’d like to try to make the All State team whether it’s first or second team.”

When asked why college coaches should recruit him, he said it was his ability to do a little bit of a lot of thing that he believes will separate him moving forward.

“I can do a little bit of everything, I’m very versatile I can play the big if I need to, I can play the guard position if I need to and I can guard multiple positions.”

Be sure to keep an eye out for Fain and Carlisle this year as they’re set to be a sleeper in the VIC and VISAA moving forward.