Another finalist for the Miss Kentucky Basketball award is Manual’s Jakayla Thompson Jakayla Thompson 5'9" | CG DuPont Manual | 2023 State KY . Thompson played in one of the toughest regions in the state, so being picked as the candidate for the 7th Region is a huge accomplishment in itself. However, what she brought to the floor made her impossible to keep off of that list. After playing guard her entire high school career, her team needed someone to play down low this season. Not only did Thompson step into that role, but she really was a difference maker for her team in every game. Manual’s only 2 losses this entire season came to a team that just won the state championship in dominating fashion. Thompson averaged a team-best 15.2 PPG and 5.5 RPG. She will be a huge addition for the University at Buffalo next season.

A versatile guard who can score or distribute at a high level, Jakayla’s best basketball is ahead of her. She can make an impact for Buffalo as a Freshman.

15.5 PPG. Thompson is a true 3 level scorer. She can knock down 3’s or jump shots, but she’s also shown her skills around the basket this season. While she’s always been a dangerous driver, especially with her ability to stop and pop at any point, but she’s added some post moves to her arsenal this season that make her even more tough to defend. She’s strong and can finish through contact, but she’s also willing to do whatever it takes to get her team a win.

Thompson grabbed her 500th career rebound this season, an accomplishment you don’t see much from a guard (though she’s been playing very well in the post for Manual this season). What she brings to the floor is really invaluable because she can essentially do whatever is asked of her and she will be successful no matter what that task is. Thompson can really put the ball in the basket and she has proven that she’s extremely hard to stop because however you guard her, she has a shot or move she can use to score. She is currently averaging a team-best 14.4 PPG and 4.7 RPG, and she is doing it for one of the top teams in the state.

Thompson is one of the top guards in the state, so it says a lot that she stood out in the post, but she was such a huge factor for her team and helping them win the tournament. She is a threat no matter where she is on the floor because she can shoot the ball or drive, she has great handles, and she can create for her teammates. Thompson was posting up strong and making so much happen around the basket. She can finish through contact and her pull-up jumpers and floaters are really hard to stop.

Another player that should be in the conversation for Miss Kentucky Basketball, Thompson is one of the top overall players in the state without question. She can score on just about anyone because of her versatility. If you put a guard on her, she can elevate over them to knock down shots or she can get to the rim where she finishes really well, even with contact. If you put a big on her, she can knock down shots if they don’t step out to guard her or she can drive right around them if they do. She’s a match-up nightmare for opposing teams and she will have a ton of talent surrounding her at Manual this year. I think Thompson is about to finish her high school career extremely strong before she moves on to play D-I basketball at the University at Buffalo.

The most recent commitment on this list (Thompson is headed to Buffalo next year), Jakayla is a true combo guard in the sense that she is effective both on and off the ball. She’s a capable shooter and driver but also knows how to defend both on and off the ball.