"Crafty Floor General: A Shifty Point Guard with Fierce Control and Relentless Energy"

Kaeden Garcia

@KaedenGarcia08

IG: @Kaedeng03

5’9”, 130lbs, Class of 2026

Elmira HS, OR

Kaeden is a crafty, shifty point guard who thrives on pace and control. He dissects defenses like a master surgeon with his handles, weaving into the paint to create opportunities and finishing with touch around the rim. His decision-making in the pick-and-roll sets him apart, reading defenders and finding teammates in scoring position. Offensively, he scores in multiple ways, smooth floaters, pull-up jumpers, and catch-and-shoot threes, while on defense, he is relentless. Kaeden pressures the ball full court, anticipates plays, and communicates with a fire that sets the tone for his team. He’s not just a player; he’s a fierce competitor who lives to make his teammates better.

This past season, Kaeden averaged 17.8 points, 2.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 51% shooting, 27% from deep, and 75% at the line. He earned OSAA Player of the Week honors and was voted a Top High School Basketball Player locally. His biggest improvement came in game management, knowing when to push tempo, when to control the half-court, and cutting down turnovers. Offseason focus included extending his range off the dribble, becoming stronger through contact, developing advanced finishing moves, and improving lateral quickness defensively. Motivated by observing the Oregon Ducks’ practices, Kaeden gained a new appreciation for the detail, preparation, and communication required to succeed at the next level.

AAU gave him the stage to evolve his craft further. His goals were to improve efficiency, raising his assist-to-turnover ratio, and elevating his voice as a leader on the floor. Those improvements carried over as he became more comfortable shooting off the bounce and finishing against length. Looking toward his senior season, Kaeden is determined to lead his team to a league title, while his personal goals are to shoot 40% from three, 85% from the line, and have higher assist numbers. He’s fueled by moments when his team locks down defensively and the sidelines come alive in those moments, which fuel him most.

When facing adversity, Kaeden responds with composure and a next-play mentality. He knows effort, body language, and communication are always within his control, and he depends on those qualities to steady himself and his teammates. The best coaching advice he’s ever received is, “Be the loudest worker. Make the simple play. Defense and talk travel”. That is evident in his daily approach. Tireless in the gym, training multiple times a day with his coaches and performance trainers, he’s preparing himself to meet higher standards every season.

Off the court, Kaeden enjoys fishing and hiking with his grandpa on the coast, bringing him peace, while giving back through youth clinics keeps him connected to the next wave of players. His love for film study and leadership reflects not only a player hungry to grow but also one who sets the bar for others around him.

I assess that Kaeden’s fierce ability to dictate tempo, along with his vision, defensive energy, and knack for making plays under pressure, make him a valuable asset for a college program. His versatility as both a scorer and facilitator, along with his competitive edge, will allow him to impact games in multiple ways from day one.

Kaeden’s growth is already proof of the hours he’s poured into the gym and the discipline he’s shown in evolving his game. His improvements in game management, efficiency, and leadership reflect a player who refuses to stay idle. With his dedication to film study, daily workouts, and relentless focus on elevating every area of his skill set, he’s built a strong foundation that will only continue to rise. Moving forward, Kaeden has the potential to become a complete floor general who controls the pace, makes winning decisions, and inspires those around him. His work ethic has carried him this far, and that same fire positions him to keep rising toward a future where he can lead and thrive at the next level. Stay tuned for a monster season ahead.