"The Incredibles: Relentless Hustle, Unshakable Grit, and a Cold-Blooded Marksman with Unmatched "Confidence"

Jayden Michael Varpness

@JaydenVarpness

IG: @jay_varp

6’4, 175lbs., Class of 2028

Donelson Christian Academy, TN

Nickname: $JayMoney - He is money from anywhere on the court.

Jayden is a real problem for defenses, a left-handed sniper with unlimited range, lethal accuracy, earning him the label of a walking bucket, with the confidence to let it fly the second he finds daylight. If you close out too hard, he’ll blow right past you with sick handles, finishing creatively inside or setting up a teammate with elite vision. Standing 6’4” with a +2” wingspan, he rebounds over bigger players and locks in on defense with the same intensity he brings on offense. Sneaky athleticism, crafty footwork, and a competitive fire make him a player you simply can’t take lightly.

He’s no stranger to making history. As a three-year starter for Mount Juliet Middle School, Jayden became the only player in school history to score over 1,000 career points, a milestone he achieved in his 8th-grade year while leading his team to multiple deep state tournament runs. That same competitive fire carried him straight into varsity basketball as a freshman, where he had to quickly adjust to the speed and strength of high school play. The transformation was physical as well as mental, gaining 35 pounds of added muscle, a couple of inches of height, and the fastest shuttle run out of 120 DI prospects at the Corey Gibson Austin Peay State University Elite Camp.

Faith is the heartbeat of Jayden’s life. His relationship with God and love for Jesus shape not just the way he plays, but the way he lives every day. Reading scripture brings him strength, peace, joy, and comfort, fueling his confidence and giving him perspective through every win, loss, and challenge. It’s the foundation that keeps him grounded, the anchor that drives his work ethic, and the source of his gratitude for the gifts he’s been given. For Jayden, every shot, every game, and every opportunity is a chance to honor God.

This offseason, Jayden is focused on becoming a true three-level scorer. He’s building a lethal middy, learning crafty finishes at the rim in the style of Jalen Brunson, and working to create more blow-by opportunities around the arc. Already an AAU champion on the On the Radar 15u Circuit, he thrives in big moments and has shown he can lead a team to the top.

What fuels his fire are those momentum-shifting runs where his team can’t miss and the other bench has no choice but to call a timeout. That surge of energy, the roar of the moment, and the look on an opponent’s face when they realize they’re in trouble, that’s his spark. When facing adversity, he stares it in the face and pushes through, refusing to let obstacles dictate his path. The best advice he’s ever received is, "You can learn from anyone, no matter their age, background, or skill level, because everyone knows something you don’t."

This season at Donelson Christian Academy, Jayden is ready to take the reins as a starter under new head coach Alex Fain, bringing leadership, scoring, and lockdown defense to a squad with championship dreams. His goal is to prove he’s the best shooter in the state while being the kind of teammate who leaves everything on the court.

I assess that Jayden’s elite shooting, high basketball IQ, and ability to both create and finish plays give him the versatility to fit easily into a college system. His size, hustle, and competitive spirit add value beyond scoring, making him an asset who can impact the game in multiple ways.

I assess that with his confidence, work ethic, and steady improvement, Jayden has the potential to be one of the most dangerous offensive threats in his class. Expect him to keep growing as a scorer, leader, and defensive force, cementing himself as a player capable of thriving at the next level. Already validated as a proven winner and prime time performer, Jayden has set a high bar for himself and is determined to keep pushing himself above and beyond every challenge to be the best version of himself possible. Get your popcorn ready and buckle up, cause this train is just taking off. Stay tuned, knowing Jayden’s best basketball is still ahead of him.