JAYDEN YATES
Jordan 6 Rings
The St. James basketball team is coming off a down year. Yet, while the group went 3-20, a star may have been born in freshman Jayden Yates.
Not only is he ranked the No. 2 shooting guard in Maryland and No. 9 overall in the Class of 2026, but he also collected a series of first-team listings, Washington County (Md.) Underclassman of the Year and DMVElite Maryland Freshman of the Year. On the surface, it’s an odd juxtaposition but those who watch Yates play understand how that litany of awards came to fruition.
“I had dealt with a lot of adversity, but overall it made me a better person. Sometimes it was hard to pick my teammates up and we didn’t have a bunch of players,” he said.
Yates, outside of being a three-way scorer and tough-nosed defender, had to grow up fast. Just a freshman, that wasn’t easy.
“It was a struggle sometimes,” Yates said. “But being there, being able to work on it consistently, coming to practice every day, it was tough but it helped me. I had to be a leader.”
And though freshman years are often a trip into a new space with new faces, that was enhanced for Yates considering he’s not from the Hagerstown area. A native of Charles Town, W.Va., Yates chose to attend St. James for academic and athletic reasons — “I re-classed because I was pretty young … and on the academic side it helped because this isn’t an easy school to go to,” he said. “It really helped me” — but soon realized the youth-laden Saints would be playing in a conference packed with juniors and seniors.
It’s a trope, but, through the fire, Yates was forged — he averaged 19.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game — and now in his summer league, the young shooting guard continues to hone his game as he and his Saints teammates aim for a redemption year in the 2023-24 season.
“I’m going to keep growing,” Yates said. “We (Global Squad) have played in some pretty good tournaments against great competition and I feel like it’s helped me a lot; helped me learn to play against adversity and overcome things that I’m going to have to overcome later in life. So why not start now.”
Rising Sophomore
Shooting Guard
St. James School
Global Squad AAU
The Kicks
Jordan 6 Rings
Mastermind / Tinker Hatfield
Release / 2008
Fun fact / Combines seven different sneakers Michael Jordan wore when the Chicago Bulls won their six NBA titles.
Pulling up to St. James in the early hours of a Monday morning, Yates looked as much the part of a rising star as he is. Decked out in school colors and rocking a 90s Michael Jordan look, the rising sophomore, who was about to begin a trip to Mercersburg, Pa., capped the fit with one of the most popular pair of kicks on the market: a set of Jordan 6 Rings.
“They’re comfortable,” he said when asked why they’re his favorite. “I had a pair when I was in 6th grade and I really liked them, wore them a lot; they match with a lot of things and red is my favorite color, so I just like the vibe of them.”
A fashion statement more than an in-game shoe, the 6 Rings combines elements from all of the iconic sneakers Jordan wore en route to the Bulls’ two three-peats in the NBA Finals. Those are the Jordan 6s (1991), 7s (1992) and 8s (1993) as well as the 11s (1996), 12s (1997) and the 13s and 14s (1998). The Jordan 14s, interestingly, were just prototypes when Jordan wore them in the 1998 Finals against the request of mastermind Tinker Hatfield according to HighSnobiety.
“I wear them as a casual shoe,” Yates said. “Over the years, my style has grown a little bit. I used to not, not care, but not pay attention as much, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve noticed more things and have been more self-aware of how I’m looking when I’m out.”
His father, also a sneakerhead, has had some influence on Yates — he’ll often dive into his dad’s shoe collection, he noted — and has grown to enjoy the culture surrounding sneakers because of him. The man behind the brand also inspires Yates in many ways, from his style to the court, though Jordan’s mid-range game is what Yates strives to emulate and derive his style from.
“It’s the biggest part of my game, I like to get to my spots and pull up,” Yates said. “If the 3s not working and they’re stopping the drive, it’s great to be able to stop and pull up. It’s helped a lot because it’s hard to guard for some people if you’re driving and able to pull up and knock it down consistently.”
Though he may not see it, the 6 Rings bring to light important aspects of Yates’ game. He’s dedicated to the game, a leader, a 63 percent shooter from 3-point range, a tough mid-range shooter, a staunch defender and, at the end of the day, stylish. All are important facets of a young player’s resume, and, though these aren’t the only things that make Yates, nor the last pieces of his skillset that he’ll develop, it’s a solid start to what looks like will be a long, successful career.
“I try to stand out and do what’s right, always have a good attitude and try to be a good leader for the younger kids that look up to me. To set a good example for them,” he said. “I hope that I can develop my game further and become more consistent with my shot-making. And become a better leader; sometimes I can be quiet, but I want to be more vocal in situations where my team needs it to become a true leader.
“But, yeah, I want to keep up that points per game average, increase the rebounds average and hopefully some offers will come.”
