Molloy Guard Takes The Prep Route
As a 6-foot-4, high-wire act known for his maddening slashing, Jayden James has been one of the most productive scoring threats in New York City these past few seasons. The Archbishop Molloy graduate, a 6-foot-4 guard who led by example on a youth-laden team, one underscored by a veritable growth movement with promising 2026 prospects Sincere Folk and Josh Powell, has now decided on his future hardwood home.
James decided on August 14th that he will prolong his career at Vermont Academy, a top-shelf prep school. James will re-class into 2024, preserving him a year of eligibility while simultaneously opening himself up to more options across the Division-I market.
“This kid was one the biggest sleepers in the CHSAA last season,” explained Molloy assistant coach Johnny Magna. "He was Second Team All-City; he really scores with the best of them. Still, he was very young. Thus, him taking the prep route and doing that prep year, it will benefit him tremendously. You will see him surface as a mid-major Division-I player.”
James had multiple games in the high 20's and 30-point games in a hyper-competitive CHSAA-AA schedule.
Coaches on a nightly basis, in the CHSAA AA conference, are game planning for opponents. Many programs' scouting reports for Molloy this past season had been predicated on neutralizing James
“And he carried our team, to a No.3 seed, in the CHSAA BQ,” said Magna. "That is indicative of the fact that he could score with the best of them. He is a pure scorer."
James has been a high scoring piece with a knack for the above rim game. Known for his thorough, hard surges to the rim and ability to finish through traffic while embracing contact. James embodied toughness during his final two seasons. And while he leaves an immense void in the leadership department, a number of established veterans will be there to help fill in the gap.
Class of 2024 6-foot-8 forward Elijah Small, who has engineered a breakout summer as a "Mr. Everything" is primed for a significant year. This summer, Small bolstered Molloy with outside shooting, monstrous finishing, rim protection, and by powering his way to the rim. Other pieces will step in as well, including 6-foot-8 Jahmere Brewer, an inside-outside scoring threat with a motor and efficiency in the interior.
The program also has been sparked by a callow but high upside 6-foot-2 high octane point guard in Johnny Magna this summer. An incoming freshman, Magna has shown purity of vision beyond his years, a calming influence with the ball in his hands. Magna possesses an IQ which has elicited comparisons to former Iona Prep star Ty Jerome (Virginia/NBA) and incoming UVA freshman Christian Bliss.
Magna is playing several years up on the AAU circuit with the PSA Cardinals, so he is able to absorb the style of highly courted recruits such as five star Boogie Fland (Stepinac), UVA-bound Bliss, and incoming University of South Florida freshman Jayden Reid.