Some people are sleeping on Jayla Strong. Strong, the 5’1 SG, is going to be able to play off the ball this Winter with the surrounding cast that will be coming in to compete at the Varsity level. There are going to be some moments throughout the Winter when opposing team’s are going to have to choose to leave someone open on the outside and they might pick that someone to be Strong but that would be a mistake. If Strong see’s one of her first shots fall from deep, it’s going to be a long night for the defense and then whenever she is overplayed – she can get to the interior of things and work from there. This roster construction is going to be interesting when you account for the fact that they will have some of the best 8th Graders in the state on their team but it should leave us with some exciting basketball when it’s all said and done. Something I can’t wait to watch first hand in a couple of weeks.

Jayla Strong Jayla Strong 5'1" | SG/PG Cedar Rapids Washington | 2027 IA is a name we haven’t heard about too much over the last few seasons at the Varsity level throughout Iowa. Last Winter when her team made it to State she finally got the recognition she deserves as being a lightning quick SG, who can produce in the bunches when she is feeling herself. Strong has stood out this weekend for her Missouri Phenom Iowa 17U program out in Las Vegas. It seems that her game has been extremely calculated every time she has taken the floor the last few days and her stat lines can prove it. She led her team in scoring one night while shooting a strong field goal percentage, she is getting others involved when the opportunities present themselves, and she hasn’t been a slouch on defense either. She has been locking up her individual matchup with confidence and that’s been fun to watch. All in all, I expect Strong to end this AAU season on a high note. After that, if she can take that momentum into the high school season, who knows how well she could do before her high school career comes to a close at the beginning of 2027.