Jayden Woodland Jayden Woodland 5'10" | CG/SG NC GBB | 2029 State NC showed off her range hitting the shot from deep off the pass grabbing the first six points for her team with her shooting.  She did well keeping her opponent in front of her on defense and got her hands in the way.  She hit the game winning bucket running the floor and scoring off the pass making it count in transition.  She hustled back on defense being ready to block shots in transition.  She sees the floor well finding her open teammates hustling up the court for some transition points.  

Jayden Woodland Jayden Woodland 5'10" | CG/SG NC GBB | 2029 State NC had nice range with her shot around the perimeter giving her team some energy right when they needed it.  She’s a tough ball handler taking care of business under pressure.  She sees the floor well being able to find her open teammates up the court or set up offensive half court sets.

Jayden Woodland Jayden Woodland 5'10" | CG/SG NC GBB | 2029 State NC is a creator on the court making plays for herself or other people.  She knows how to make her move finding the gaps for her to attack the basket or make the dish to her open teammates.  She’s comfortable doing a lot of things on the court for her team, too, even grabbing rebounds on both ends, especially extending plays on offense.  She’s an efficient scorer showing off her ability to score all over the court.

I initially thought it was a misprint that she was listed as a 2029 player, but Prep Girls Hoops confirmed that Jayden is indeed a freshman. She has great size and a solid frame for her age. She opened the game by knocking down her first 3-pointer, then hustled back to defend the post on the other end. She also showed the ability to get her shot off with a touch even after being whacked by the defender. Jayden runs the floor well and has the versatility to initiate the offense as a point guard. She’s already showing signs of being ahead of her class.

Jayden Woodland Jayden Woodland 5'10" | CG/SG NC GBB | 2029 State NC makes plays for her teammates hitting them in stride as they run up the court.  She handles the ball well under pressure showing off her shifty moves to create some space.  She slides into the open lanes making sure she’s getting into the perfect spot for the pass.  She was cutting backdoor a lot losing her defender, catching the quick pass, and scoring off the backboard.  She has some nice range with her shot, too.

Jayden Woodland Jayden Woodland 5'10" | CG/SG NC GBB | 2029 State NC is already an exceptional guard with great vision on the court knowing how to make a play whether she is slowing down the tempo to get something set up or pushing the ball up the court for a solo fast break.  She’s efficient with her scoring knowing when to use her ball moves to create some space and score her own points or make the dish to her teammates.  She does the little things, too, like following shots to grab rebounds.

Woodland’s play this past weekend was a huge reason why Carolina All-Stars 15U E40 was one of the last four teams remaining in the 15U bracket. Woodland is another 2029 that is playing up in class – and there are plenty of 14U teams that are thrilled she is in the 15U realm. One of Woodland’s signature games of the weekend occurred on Saturday when her team nearly picked up a win over a Macon Mystics 2028 assembling that went undefeated at Peach Games. Her team may have been on the losing end of that matchup but Woodland displayed through her 20-point performance that she is a name on the rise in Hoop State basketball circles. 

Going up against one of the toughest teams in the region in Macon Mystics 2028 is no easy task. But the 2029 was up for said assignment Woodland has the height of a three or a four but the ball handling and rim attacking capabilities more commonly seen in traditional guards. She has a high basketball IQ and puts herself in the correct spots to make the correct plays. Woodland can get crafty with how she finishes at the rim and is the definition of an all-around playmaker. She concluded the contest with Macon Mystics having placed 21 points on the scoreboard.

When one is a product of the venerable NC GBB program in the Research Triangle, one knows they are hooping in the Hoop State. Her Carolina All-Stars 15U E40 team had a rough go of things Sunday afternoon against a tough Porter Sports 15U assembling. Woodland still held her own by scoring nine points to lead her team. Woodland is a 2029 that happens to be playing up in class. When one has the ball handling skills of the guard position she plays fused together with the 5-foot-10 height more commonly found in threes, fours and fives, two words come to mind. “Matchup” is the first word. “Problem” is the other. 

Jayden is going to be special. She already has the frame and skill that makes her fit right in against higher levels of competition. Her frame is long, and she doesn’t move on the court like a young 2029. I really enjoyed her vision and passing the most out of her versatile game. If she continues to work, she will be a highly recruited player and one of the top 2029’s on the east coast.