On Sunday, Jaylen Cross of Caldwell Academy and Team CP3 announced via social media that he’d be decommitting from Charlotte and reopening his recruitment. This news largely came as a shock to the grassroots community, particularly within North Carolina, as it’s unclear what’ll happen next. Cross is coming off a strong senior season, including notable production and a state-title victory. He played alongside an impressive core of college prospects in Cole Cloer, King Kendrick, Neal Swindell, Ayden Johnson, Mac Atkinson, and Trevor Holland. However, all eyes will be watching Cross as he nears a decision over the next month or so.
For those in need of a refresher for Cross’s identity and approach to the game, we recently stated, “In a time when so many kids look at talented teammates as competition rather than support, Cross is an incredible leader. He’s arguably the best defensive player in the state with IQ, strength, athleticism, and a polished offensive skillset. Cross can assume ball-handling duties and initiate the offense or create for others, but also understands how to produce as an off-ball threat within the team structure. Whether attacking the basket, pulling up off the dribble, or hitting jumpers from beyond the arc, he’s a reliable scoring threat from all levels. He’s a great rebounder and nightmarish defender who can guard multiple positions and consistently keep opponents in front. It’s difficult to say anything other than positives about Cross. In addition to being an extremely talented basketball player, he’s also one of the most mature high school players you’ll find.”
Cross is an awesome player and even better person, so it’ll be fascinating to see what schools get involved in the late stages of the recruiting process. Many teams are in disarray attempting to piece things back together after a down year while others are looking to maintain their current structure or completely rebuild the entire program. Fortunately for Cross, he’s a seamless addition who can comfortably fit alongside any collection of players due to his blend of defense, athleticism, and adaptable offensive game.