Section II Spotlight: Jadon Cummings – Troy

<div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-eqz5dr r-k8qxaj"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1habvwh r-7q8q6z r-1ny4l3l" tabindex="0" aria-expanded="false" data-focusable="true" data-testid="messageEntry"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1euycsn r-17s6mgv r-1qfoi16 r-1nwbi2h"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1habvwh r-1wbh5a2"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-k200y r-z1a2ur r-pm2fo r-1bs4hfb r-1867qdf r-deolkf r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l r-1j3t67a r-1w50u8q r-o7ynqc r-6416eg" role="presentation"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-eqz5dr r-l4nmg1"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1habvwh r-7q8q6z r-1ny4l3l" tabindex="0" aria-expanded="false" data-focusable="true" data-testid="messageEntry"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1euycsn r-17s6mgv r-1qfoi16 r-1nwbi2h"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1habvwh r-1wbh5a2"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-k200y r-z1a2ur r-pm2fo r-1bs4hfb r-1867qdf r-deolkf r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l r-1j3t67a r-1w50u8q r-o7ynqc r-6416eg" role="presentation"> <div class="css-901oao r-18jsvk2 r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-1udh08x r-bnwqim r-fdjqy7 r-qvutc0" dir="auto">This past weekend, I had the privilege of chatting with [player_tooltip player_id="1048175" first="Jadon" last="Cummings"], Rising Star guard from Troy. Jadon is a 6'2 Lefty guard with all of the chops to play point or combo guard on the next level. Something unique about him for a High School player is his decisiveness with the ball. Whether it be a drive to the hoop, a pull up, or a tight pass, Jadon with a reactionary type quickness executes the play. A lot of players can make these plays, but most will usually take a second to size up their man as well as the floor before making their move. Cummings cuts out the middleman and just makes the play. He's a case of that kind of cliché yet true line of "It looks like the game is slowing down for him." He joins junior Marqis Hamby, featured in my <a href="https://prephoops.com/2021/02/section-ii-juniors-to-watch-for-20-21/">Section II Juniors to Watch </a>piece a few weeks back, leading a fast and aggressive defensive Troy backcourt looking to make noise during this shortened New York Season. </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto">Something else about Jadon is the way he uses his body on drives. He's no Bruce Brown in terms of bulk but he's also not a wiry guard by any means. The way Cummings uses his size to shield defenders and get the best look at the hoop looks second nature. Would love to see some more righty finishes but he scores with enough ease with his off-hand to be a threat on either side of the hoop. I had a lot of fun chatting with [player_tooltip player_id="1048175" first="Jadon" last="Cummings"], he's an awesome guy who is not afraid to ask questions, is confident in his game while also knowing that he has places to improve, and is HUNGRY. He's been hungry to get better each off-season, hungry for his team's success, and especially this year hungry to HOOP. Check out the link for Jadon's Junior Highlight as well as our chat below. Pumped to see him on the court soon.</div> </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> [caption id="attachment_1134582" align="alignleft" width="240"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Cummings-3.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1134582" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Cummings-3-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" /></a> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="1048175" first="Jadon" last="Cummings"][/caption] </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>Junior Highlight Link:</strong></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto">http://www.hudl.com/v/2DiWwF</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>Growing up, was there a player that inspired your game the most?</strong></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto">Definitely LeBron James. I noticed from a young age how he gets his teammates involved and does not just provide with offense but with the little things like setting good screens, rebounding etc. He is a great team player and I would like to consider myself as one as well.</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>Great answer and also a great player to watch, those little things are winning attributes that don't show up on stat sheets. So talk to me about your game, what do you think is your greatest strength as a player?</strong></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto">My playmaking for sure. I'm working on becoming more of a threat from 3 of the dribble but me being left handed and being able to shoot as well as drive both left and right to get downhill and either score or set up a teammate to score is my biggest strength. Also Off ball movement. It is really easy to rack up some easy points when you catch your defender sleeping and get a back door cut.</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>One of the first things I noticed was your lefty shot, that's something that is a great asset to have. I know the off-season was a weird one, what have you been doing to work on your craft? Any specific part of your game?</strong></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto">Yeah last year was hectic but I have a hoop outside that I would go out and shoot on a few times during the day in the summer. And in the fall I played pickup/AAU with some guys in the area. Every offseason I re-evaluate and pick something to get better at. This year it was extending my range, being more consistent from 3, and working on off the dribble into a 3. I made this a huge priority because in college as a guard you've got to be able to make those shots and the work is not done yet but I'm still working to be fully prepared for the next level and my high school coaches are definitely helping and pushing me to get to that next level.</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>I love that, the range extension is only going to help the other parts of your game by spreading the floor. What do you think is your most underrated attribute as a player?</strong></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto">I feel like a lot of players don't want to take the charge and that was something my high school team taught me well which was standing up straight and firmly and not being afraid to take the hit. Like I said before I take pride in those things because it helps the team in the long run, the bumps and bruises goes away eventually. I would say this is an underrated attribute because it isn't shown on the stat sheet and it doesn't make the big highlight reel but I know it can change the whole momentum of the game. Also, I believe being able to attack the basket both ways from left or right is also an underrated attribute that way I can't be forced a specific side or way.</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>That's awesome, I'm a Duke fan and I know the charge is something Coach K really puts an emphasis on. The ambidextrous trait is also a huge asset as well. Speaking of coaches, give me a 2-3 sentence sales pitch on your game that you'd give to a college coach.</strong></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto">My sales pitch would be:</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"><em> "I'm a player that wants to get better everyday and is never satisfied with my current game. No matter what the playing time looks like I will come with the mindset to not only get better as a player but as a team. The sky is the limit with players with that type of ambition."</em></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>Alright last question, give me an outlook on the year for Troy and when is your first game?</strong></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto">I believe the first game scheduled for us is February 12th and this year we are striving to obviously win games but also be the best defensive team in the state and with the coach we have this year I believe that it is very possible.</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>Love it! Thanks Jadon and good luck!</strong></div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-eqz5dr r-l4nmg1"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1habvwh r-7q8q6z r-1ny4l3l" tabindex="0" aria-expanded="false" data-focusable="true" data-testid="messageEntry"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1euycsn r-17s6mgv r-1qfoi16 r-1nwbi2h"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-obd0qt r-18u37iz"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-phn5h3"> </div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1d2f490 r-u8s1d"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>