2022's Jayden Lemond rising as national recruit

Once again, New Jersey is continuing to produce talent at such a fast rate. The 2022 class the state is pushing out is extremely strong, especially from the guard category. Dwight-Englewood’s Jayden Lemond fits that mold as a 6-foot-4 combo-guard with the ability to score from all three levels but is also an able defender.

His recruitment got very strong with offers from UConn, Auburn, Seton Hall, and plenty of others.

We quickly chatted with Lemond and he talked about his recruitment and his game with Stockrisers.com.

Which schools are heavily in the mix?

Lemond: “Right now the main schools in the mix are UConn, Auburn, Michigan, and Vanderbilt.”

New interest?

Lemond: “My newest interest is now Georgia and Xavier.”

You recently talked with UConn’s full staff, thoughts?

Lemond: “On Wednesday, I had a zoom call with UConn. It went well, it was the full coaching staff from Coach Hurley to Coach Freeman. It went very well, they like me a lot and I felt a good connection with all the coaches. They showed me videos and it made me feel excited. They also said that the 2022 class is a big class for them and that I would be an instant impact. Overall it went really well.”

Discuss Auburn, your relationship with Coach [Ira] Bowman.

Lemond: “I’ve spoken a lot with Coach Bowman from Auburn, almost every week just to keep in touch. He always asks about school, family, and my life in the gym. But, when Auburn offered me he said I’d be a guy that would make an instant impact. He likes that I’m a guard who’s all about winning. I can get guys open shots and make guys on my team better. He said a guy like me is always fun to play with. And he loves the fact that I can defend, he said if you can do that then everything else will fall into place.

Michigan is also heavily involved, discuss your relationship with Coach [Howard] Eisley.

Lemond: “I’ve spoken with Coach Eisley from Michigan a lot as well too. He said he doesn’t really see a ceiling in my game. He thinks my game goes beyond my own expectations. And hearing that from a college coach and a former pro kind of surprised me because I never heard anyone say that to me before. Hearing that just made me want to go harder and harder. Coach Eisley got a chance to watch some of my game films when I was playing in Atlanta this summer and he really liked the fact that I’m a true point guard. He stays on top of me and makes sure that I’m doing what I need to do on and off the court as long with family, so I like that a lot.”

Now, what about this possible reclassifying to the 2021 option?

Lemond: “Yeah, I mean being one of the youngest players in the class my family and I felt that it’s a good option for me to reclass. I mean just to get stronger, mature more, and grow into more of a leader. I think giving me one extra year allows me to see the mistakes I made on and off the court that I made in the past. It definitely will change my perspective more on things but I feel like it’s for the better to help my future.”

Any other planned calls?

Lemond: “I have a planned phone call tonight (last night) with Michigan Assistant Coach Eisley, but other than that nothing else.”

A full breakdown of your game?

Lemond: “I describe my game as a smooth true point guard. Someone who’s all about winning and making the right plays. I make plays that are impactful at the next level and beyond. I am someone who is going to play hard, guard, and can score. Anything that the coach needs me to do I can do. I am very versatile and I think that’s what exceeds my game from other players.”