Those within the grassroots basketball scene know that talent can emerge from anywhere. Plenty of great players were once overlooked or hidden in plain sight. This is natural and something that used to happen all the time but has steadily declined with the rise of secondary circuits and the decreasing number of independent programs. However, FIBA SC is clearly maintaining its status as a notable under-the-radar organization from South Carolina. Folks should remember guys like LeBron Thomas, Xzavier Thaggard, and Tre McLeod from their most recent travel ball stint. That being said, Jayden Ray could be the next to emerge from this squad. Let’s take a closer look….
The appeal of a 6-foot-9 freshman turned sophomore should be quite obvious. Ray is built like a tank with an enticing combination of length, strength, and mobility. He plays with a quality level of aggression when fighting for position and is capable of physically imposing his will on opponents around the basket. Ray has somewhat of an inconsistent motor right now, but is capable of being a destructive force when playing hard and staying engaged within the action. He dwarfs most opponents and forces defenses to send extra help basically any time he’s near the basket. Ray finishes above the rim and can play through contact, but will need to get even tougher inside the paint to maximize his long-term upside.
It’s still so early in his development process, but the tools are real. Ray possesses an incredible physique and overall array of physical tools. He’s already capable of dominating the glass, anchoring the paint defensively, and scoring around the basket. It feels like one of those situations where Ray will ultimately have to decide how far he’ll go. Should he continue to work while developing his game and mentality, he truly has the tools to be a special prospect. Only time will tell, but the foundation is certainly there.