Jayden Epps: The True Freshman

Here is a friendly reminder that Jayden Epps is a true freshman.

Illinois basketball started the “after Kofi era” by hauling in one of the top classes of true freshmen in the country. After Luke Goode’s offseason foot injury and Skyy Clark’s departure, the three freshman have all been asked to play significant roles on this young squad. Ty Rodgers, Jayden Epps and Sencire Harris have all done their best, however there is one particular player that has played well beyond his years as a true freshman. That freshman is Jayden Epps,

The initial expectation.

Jayden Epps was a top 75 combo guard according to 247sports. He was a heralded commit after he decommitted from Providence and had a prior relationship with Chester Frazier given his east coast roots. Epps spent a year at the Combine Academy in North Carolina and was heralded as a pure bucket getter. Much like Trent Frazier, Epps’ scoring ability was on full display in the high school ranks and he drew comparisons from astute basketball minds such as Ant Wright for Myles Powell. Epps averaged around 17 points per game with 5 assists. There were significant questions, however, as he arrived on campus.

Will he be ready to run an offense? Is he a true point guard? Given that Illinois lacked a true point guard, there was questions about how they would fare. Having to rely on two true freshmen to run an offense is very risky, no matter the program. Given that Epps is a scoring point guard as well, does he have it in him to run offense and control the pace.

So Far?

Epps has been stellar. In the game against Minnesota, Jayden consistently got Illinois into their “spread” offense when put into the half court. It was clear that no one else on the floor had the skills to orchestrate and organize the offense well. Jayden Epps has also just been efficient and effective. He gets into the paint easily and has a stable jump shot. He’s averaging under 10 points on 47 percent shooting and 37 percent from 3. His field goal percentages show that he’s a bucket getter but also not a “shot-chucker”. He also has the mental toughness to organize the half court offense well. Against Michigan State, he had a veteran take to the basket in the final minute or so to help seal the game.

Over Illinois’ 4 game win streak, Epps has averaged only 1.5 turnovers per game. That number includes 4 turnovers against Wisconsin. For a true freshman that plays almost 30 minutes and has the ball in his hand, that is impressive.

Illinois has benefitted from having guards that have stayed in the program for multiple years. Trent Frazier, Ayo Dosunmu, Andres Feliz were all instrumental in Coach Underwood’s success the past 3 years. Jayden Epps is likely the next part of that foundation.