Standing Soldier has made a name for herself thanks to strong performances with Maȟpíya Lúta at the high school level. Beyond the borders of South Dakota, however, Jayden has a low profile. We suspect that will change. Jayden has considerable upside. At 6-foot-2, she has the size, length and instincts to be an imposing interior presence. She is an excellent shot blocker with the timing to challenge attempts without constantly fouling, while her physicality and edge make her difficult to play against. Standing Soldier rebounds aggressively, creates deflections and consistently impacts possessions defensively. Offensively, she has progressed beyond scoring primarily on putbacks, drop-steps and cuts. Her face-up game is emerging, her ball handling has improved, and she is becoming increasingly comfortable shooting away from the basket. With further development, there’s no telling how good Jayden can be long-term.

Standing Soldier has the kind of game that immediately establishes a physical tone. At 6’1 or 6’2 with a sturdy frame, she isn’t shy about using her strength to carve out space in the paint and make life difficult for opponents. I love her workmanlike approach to the game. She simply went about her business when we watched at summer league, rebounding, defending, and battling for every inch. We watched Jayden swat a shot deep into the seats, a reminder that she’s capable of protecting the rim in emphatic fashion. Standing Soldier anchors the defense, owns her space around the basket, and consistently gets herself in position for rebounds and put-backs. She may have been named Sixth Woman of the Year by the media in Rapid City, but her impact on winning is first string.