Q&A with NYC Gauchos 2023 Jayda Johnson

NYC Gauchos celebrated their 53  ^th anniversary, this year. The Bronx, NY based organization has a rich tradition & history of producing collegiate plus professional players. Six-foot combo guard Jayda Johnson (2023), of Hamden Hall country day (CT) is up next. The freshman guard carried her team to a 14-8 record. While also breaking the schools single game scoring record with 34 points in a victory this past season. NYGHR got a chance to catch up with her for a Q&A. 
 
 
 
When and how did you start playing basketball?
 
 
I started playing basketball in third grade. My dad played overseas in Germany and loved basketball, so I decided to give it a chance when he mentioned it to me even though I didn't originally want to because I was pretty good at soccer which was the sport I was currently playing in third grade. 
 
How was your AAU experience playing with Coach Earl Elliott Name?
 
My AAU experience playing with Coach Earl from the Gauchos was really good. He worked on player development and knew when to put me in and knew the positions I would be successful in. He also talked to a lot of college coaches for me along with the other coaches on staff and have gotten me really good looks. 
 
 
How your experience like playing basketball at high school with coach Johnson?
 
 
This year my dad was the coach. It wasn't too bad because he has coached me for a large part of my basketball career. We found ourselves bump heads in certain situations, but he always found a way to make things right and he always had my best interest in mind. He put me in positions of success out on the floor and helped me be a team leader. Overall it was a really good and unique experience. 
 
 
 
Being that's you play HS ball in CT and AAU in NYC what are some of the big differences and advantages?
 
Being from CT and then playing AAU in the city has so challenges like stereotypes. Everybody from New York asks themselves what is she doing here and basically looks down on girls basketball in CT. Another difference is the pace. The pace in New York is way faster and it took a little bit to adapt but I'm glad I got to experience that early. Some disadvantages are people shying away from me because of where I'm from and it taking a while for them to get used to me because of the type of person I am. I would say I am pretty well spoken and took them a while to realize that I am very similar in a lot of ways to them even if I'm from a boring state like CT. Another An advantage is that I get to see how surprised they get when I play. I get to prove them all wrong that I can play just as well as you and even better. That's what always kept me motivated the opportunity to earn my place. 
 
 
Before the pandemic what was a regular school day like for you? How is it now? 
 
Before the pandemic my regular school day was wake up, get ready, go to school, have about five classes, then go to practice, and then go home. Now that Covid-19 has become a strange reality, I don't really have to get ready for school. I can wake up a few minutes before class and be ready. I also have half the classes I did before. Strangely enough I do get a lot of work from teachers on certain days. Luckily it came when school was just about to end. 
 
 
What do you think was the biggest growth in your game that led to you getting scholarship offers? Development or more exposure Etc.
 
I think both play a role. I was put on a bigger stage and in front of more coaches while with the Gauchos, but I also had to develop my game more and more. When I look back to 7th grade I wasn't so confident in my game. Since then I have practically doubled and tripled some of the stats I got then for my high school. I would say I have developed a lot as a player, and I want to continue to develop and get better every season. 
 
What part of your game do you want to improve on?
 
I would say there is always room for improvement in every part of your game, but I would say getting a little faster and stronger, so I am able to beat kids up the court and finish through contact against bigger kids since I play up. 
 
What schools are recruiting and who has offered you?
 
Some schools that are recruiting me are Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Florida State, Ohio State, BC, Yale, and University of Hartford. I have gotten offers from Quinnipiac and Manhattan College. 
 
 
Did you take visits to college yet also how are the virtual tours compared to visits?
 
I took some visits to Quinnipiac, Yale, Rutgers, Princeton, and Manhattan College. I have not taken a virtual tour yet, but I'm taking one for North Carolina soon. 
 
 
Who are some of the players NBA/ WNBA / NCAA you pattern you game after?
 
Some players I pattern my game after are Candace Parker from the LA Sparks and Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. 
 
 What are you looking for in A college?
 
In a college I am looking for a sense of community and family and the ability to be open with the coaches and players in someplace where I can really grow as a person and as a player to help get me to where I want to be which is a professional basketball player or in a profession that I enjoy.
 
 
 
 
Jayda Johnson, 6',
Hamden Hall, 2023, 
Gauchos 17U Platinum,
Blue Star 30,
 IG: @jayda__johnson.