Just ten days ago, Jaylen Cross announced his decision to decommit from Charlotte and reopen his recruitment. In addition to some uncertainty surrounding the roster composition, the coach who headed his recruitment, Vic Sfera, stepped away from the program. Fast-forward to now, and Cross has decided to join Coach Forbes and the Demon Deacons. We caught up with the 6-foot-4 dynamic wing to discuss the process and his expectations going forward…
JB: What went into the process that led to you committing to Wake Forest?
JC: I feel good about committing to Wake. It’s a stable situation to be going into, especially at a high level. Playing in the ACC is a big-time accomplishment, particularly since it is a dream of mine, outside of playing college basketball. It’s a great situation for me, both on and off the court. I’ll be challenged in both areas on the court and in the classroom, which will inevitably help me in going into adulthood. I’m looking forward to the situation, and being 30 minutes from home is great as well. It’s just far enough away from home but also close to family.
JB: Provide some of your thoughts on Wake Forest’s staff, team, and the overall program.
JC: The feeling I have towards the school is a great feeling due to the simple fact of watching them my whole life. Being around the ACC growing up, you see all the ACC games, rivals, etc. To be a part of that is huge. When it comes to the staff, it’s a good bond between everyone–not just the head coach. Relationships go a long way for me, so to know that relationships will be highly valued between me and the staff is a big positive. In addition to relationships, the team camaraderie looks great which allows someone like me to fit in well.
JB: How do you see yourself fitting in with the team? What do you bring to the program?
JC: I see myself fitting into Wake smoothly due to the simple fact of me being a great glue-guy on and off the court. I’m a positive spirit; as well as, a hard worker which allows me to be versatile in multiple circumstances. I think the fit is there for me as a person, which definitely played a part in my decision. When it comes to on the court, my versatility and defensive mindset will help me fit into a role well.