In Their Words: Coach Jaffarious Wade

I had the opportunity to sit down with my guy, Jaffarious Wade. Jay Wade is the assistant coach at Ezell Harding in Antioch, Tennessee. He is also on the leadership team of [program_tooltip program_id='713296' first='Team' last='Brandan Wright'] travel basketball club and coaches their 27 Black group. We were able to sit down and discuss the game and just shoot the breeze. You know, that water cooler talk that I am always talking about. Jay has been in the game for over 14 years. He has had coaching stints at Stewart's Creek (Smyrna, TN) and Rockvale (Rockvale, TN) just to name a few. He has been on the travel ball side coaching with different circuit programs. He has an impressive resume, helping to send girls onto the next level. From D1 to NAIA, kids who have played for him have landed on collegiate rosters near and far. From top D1 schools as far as Vermont to schools as close as MTSU, Jay has had his hand in their development and their progress.    Check out our conversation. Just two guys catching up and shooting the breeze.   Me: Jay. What's going on man? How's everything going with you?   Jay: Everything is going good. I'm blessed. Family is doing well. Just got through with another successful AAU season with a lot of my girls receiving interest and offers. So I am blessed. Enjoying this down time. However, I am still in the gym training nightly so not too much of a down time.   Me: Well obviously you are super busy and stay grinding on the hardwood. So let me ask you, what inspires you to coach?   Jay: I love to see girls fulfill their dreams of playing at the next level. When you get kids who come either into your program or want to play for you, and your passions align, it's a beautiful thing. So I coach to help those who want to excel and move onto the next level.   Me: That's what's up right there. I know this game has taken you places both near and far. What is the nicest facility you have been to on the travel ball side?   Jay:I love Pittsburgh and what the WPA Bruins do at their tournament. However, I am going to say Spooky Nook in Cincinnati, OH. That's a nice facility. The town is great. Plenty of courts. I love the set up of the gym in itself.   Me: Ok. So, on the high school side what is the nicest gym you have played in?   Jay: Silverdale Baptist Academy in Chattanooga. Now I haven't been to every school in the state, but that school has some really good facilities.   Me: Nice. I haven't been there, but I know on the east side of the state, they do it up right out there. So tell me what's the toughest place you had to coach in?   Jay: Travel ball wise, I would say the convention center at Louisville. There are so many courts and games going on at one time. It can be difficult to communicate due to the noise level in the place. I love the atmosphere though but if you haven't been in an environment like that before, it can be a tough adjustment at first. High school wise, Coffee County. Those fans are rowdy and right on top of you. The team feeds off their energy and it can be difficult to play down there.   Me: Yeah, the Lou can be crazy. Man, all that walking can make anyone's feet hurt.haha. But, I love the atmosphere. The coaches. All the games. It's funny you say Coffee County. That town is crazy for women's basketball for sure. What has been your favorite moment as a coach?   Jay:  In 2021, I was at Rockvale and it was our second year of existence. Being a brand new school, you know it can be tough. With a tough district and having some success, we made it to the region. We had to overcome a lot, and we really defined what type of program we would be from that moment on.   Me: That's an accomplishment right there. I mean you all had Blackman, Riverdale, Stewart's Creek. Then you come out playing tough Coffee Co. and Tullahoma squads back then. Yeah, that for sure is an accomplishment in itself. Let me ask you this, who is the toughest kid you had to coach against?   Jay: In high school, it was Brinae Alexander from Riverdale. She was a beast man. Tough to defend. She was just a bully. On the AAU side, Kennedy Claybrooks from Bartlett. She suited for [program_tooltip program_id='712426' first='Bluff' last='City'] and went to Texas State and now plays at SEMO. She had some quickness about her. You are talking  about someone who could cross you up and attack you. She was nice.   Me: Yeah man. Those are two legit players who went on to play collegiate ball. Big time student athletes who competed their tails off. I loved watching them play. Let me ask you, in your opinion, who is the best kid in the state right now regardless of class.   Jay: Whew that's tough. I mean there are so many girls who should warrant that top spot. I am going to have to say [player_tooltip player_id='821620' first='Lauren' last='Hassell'] is the best or one of the best. I have never seen a girl with height like that who can beat you inside and out. I mean she isn't just a one dimensional player, but someone who can really do all things. Score on all 3 levels. Dribble. Shoot. Rebound. Defend. She is probably the best all around player top to bottom.   Me: What do you look for in a kid when adding them to your TBW squad?   Jay: The first thing I look for is their defensive ability. I like girls who can defend. I also look for girls who can shoot the ball from multiple spots on the floor. Are they the catch n' shoot type or can they be crafty off the dribble. Another thing I look for is how coachable they are. Can they adapt to things? How do they adapt to things? Are they good teammates? Little things like that are some things I look for.   Me: In your opinion, who do you think is the most underrated kid in the state?   Jay: Well, I've got 3 and in no particular order. [player_tooltip player_id='821870' first='Blake' last='Maple'] from Lipscomb Academy. She is a hustler who defends, hits shots, and just goes hard all the time. Secondly, I like Nihla Johnson from Nolensville. She is a tough kid who is a tough competitor. She can score on all 3 levels and plays with a high motor. The third kid is [player_tooltip player_id='1058157' first='Aryanna' last='Ridgeway']. I am not trying to toot the horn of my own player, but this kid has gotten better game in and game out. She is a gamer. I saw her this summer compete on the travel ball circuit and she looked good. She does the little things right and finishes at the rim. So those would be my 3 underrated players.   Me: Nice. So what is unique about the TBW program as well as your program at Ezell Harding>   Jay: Well, the TBW culture is amazing in itself. The coaches support each other. The girls support each other. The organization is so big and I love when other teams whether it be a middle school team or another team comes to cheer you and your squad on. I think the support is big because it brings energy. In Louisville, there was a game when a girl came out, she went down the bench to dap everyone up and once she got done doing that with the bench, she kept going all the way down and around the baseline. That's love right there. Kids pulling for each other's success.   What's unique about my TBW team in itself is that from game to game, any one of my girls can have a breakout game. They share the ball so beautifully and play collectively together.   Oh, going back to the culture thing with B. Wright, I love how you can build relationships with girls who may not be on your direct team. I mean kids and coaches pulling for each other is a great feeling to have.   When it comes to Ezell, we have had the privilege to win over 20 games the last two seasons. That hasn't been done around there in a long time. We have a great coaching staff. Our kids have bought into our scheme and what we are teaching. So it has been pretty cool to see the transformation of the kids. Coming to work every day and just putting in the work.   Me: That's what's up. Ok, I am going to say this phrase. “ O is the show, D is the key.” Do you emphasize defense or offense more?   Jay: Definitely defense. Defense to me leads to easy offensive possession. My teams pride themselves on that end of the floor. We love to be aggressive and attack opponents that way. Plus the defensive side can also break a team's confidence and break their coaches spirit. Once you accomplish that, a W is in the bag.   Me: Haha. Amen to that. You lock up on the defensive end, it's over. I mean if you run into a kid who is “that girl” and knives through you, I mean you just have to tip your cap off to her for a job well done. In my opinion, defense is a premium as well.   Moving on, tell our readers what would be the perfect environment for practice? What kind of atmosphere do you try to create?   Jay: I need girls to be excited when they come to the gym. The energy level needs to be on 10. Communication needs to be on 10. I love a fast pace practice where kids are moving in and out of drills. I love coaches involved and teaching the game. That's my favorite atmosphere.   Me: Do you all do that at B.Wright?    Jay: All the time. You know the phrase “iron sharpens iron.” That's what we do.   Me: That's what's up. What advice would you give a kid looking to play at the next level? Also, what would you say to their parents as they look forward to their kid obtaining a scholarship?   Jay: To the kid, continue to work on your craft daily. You never know when or where your opportunity will come from. So you have to be prepared for your moment. So work on not only your weaknesses, but things you excel at and perfect those one or two things. You want to impress a college coach if they attend your games or look at the film. You have to do things to stand out and be the best at it. You want them to dream about you. Are you a fit for their program? To the parents, I would trust the process. It can be a daunting thing. Ask for advice from those who have been through it. Everyone' situation is different, but you must go into the recruiting process with an open mind. As far as your daughter goes, always build them up after a game even if she didn;t play her best or to her potential. She needs your love. She knows she might have failed. She may have heard it from the coach or the fans. Be that ear and shoulder to be there and support her through the good and the bad. Also too, cheer on the entire team and celebrate everyone's success. College coaches look at you all just as much as they look at your daughter. They want to see how you react to things as well. So always try to be positive and cheer on the success of others.   Me: That's some great advice right there.   Ok, we are about to wrap this up. I am going to give you an attribute and you match the player to it. Sounds good?   Jay: Let's go.   Me: Best shooter in the state?   Jay: [player_tooltip player_id='821983' first='Brooklyn' last='Jones']. Goodpasture.   Me: Best penetrator in the state?   Jay: Lazavionna Hawkins. Goodpasture   Me: Who has the best court vision?   Jay: [player_tooltip player_id='822483' first='Ava' last='Zenner'] at Franklin Road Academy.   Me: Best defender?   Jay: Tie. Between Nihla Johnson at Nolensville and Regan Williams at Ezell. Both are some dawgs.   Me: Best rebounder?   Jay: [player_tooltip player_id='513228' first='Kimora' last='Fields'] from Bradley Central.   Me: Best teammate and why?   Jay: I am going to have to say [player_tooltip player_id='1058157' first='Aryanna' last='Ridgeway']. She dealt with some adversity when she was injured. She showed up, always in good spirits cheering on her teammates. Offering advice. Became an extension of the coaching staff.   Me: Funniest kid?   Jay: She doesn't play right now, but Talea Gray. She made the environment light. She would for some reason always sit by me on the bench. Whenever I would talk, she would imitate my body language. She made me laugh through the good times and the bad so I appreciate that of her.   Me: Who is the most craftiest kid in the state?   Jay: [player_tooltip player_id='513233' first='Natalya' last='Hodge'] from Bearden.    Me: Most athletic kid in the state?   Jay: Haylen Ayers from USJ.   Me: Last question, the most selfless player in the state?   Jay: Regan Williams. I love how she is looking to put others in successful situations. Love her ability to hit teammates in the open floor.   Me: Jay, my guy. I appreciate your time man. Thank you. Nothing but love for you. Thanks for your time and I appreciate all you do and how you keep supporting and coaching kids up from our state.   Jay: Appreciate you and thanks for the opportunity.

I had the opportunity to sit down with my guy, Jaffarious Wade. Jay Wade is the assistant coach at Ezell Harding in Antioch, Tennessee. He is also on the leadership team of Team Brandan Wright travel basketball club and coaches their 27 Black group. We were able to sit down and discuss the game and just shoot the breeze. You know, that water cooler talk that I am always talking about. Jay has been in the game for over 14 years. He has had coaching stints at Stewart's Creek (Smyrna, TN) and Rockvale (Rockvale, TN) just to name a few. He has been on the travel ball side coaching with different circuit programs. He has an impressive resume, helping to send girls onto the next level. From D1 to NAIA, kids who have played for him have landed on collegiate rosters near and far. From top D1 schools as far as Vermont to schools as close as MTSU, Jay has had his hand in their development and their progress.