A strong framed 6’4″ shooting guard/small forward carving his path with multi-level offers and two-way impact

From the hardwood at University of Detroit Jesuit to recruiting lists across Michigan and beyond, Jaden Garwood has steadily made noise in the Class of 2026 scene. What started as a promising perimeter wing has evolved into a versatile contributor with offers and interest from a range of collegiate programs, signaling that Garwood’s game is resonating with coaches at multiple levels.

Garwood’s story isn’t just about scoring — it’s about physicality meeting positional versatility. At about 6’4″ and a solid ~205 pounds, he plays with the strength and spatial awareness that coaches covet in a wing. Whether crashing the boards, defending on the perimeter, or spotting up for catch-and-shoot opportunities, Garwood impacts possessions beyond the traditional boom-or-bust scoring guard narrative. This well-roundedness has translated into recruiting traction from programs like Albion College, Mid-Michigan College, and Dominican University, each seeing different facets of his game as assets for their systems.

Perhaps what stands out most about Garwood is the physical edge he brings. On any given possession, he’s the type to box out larger forwards, rotate quickly in help defense, and push through contact to secure rebounds — traits that in today’s interconnected guard/wing landscape give him a high floor in college rotations. That competitiveness and willingness to fill gaps in team play — whether scoring or defending — makes him more than just a stat line; he’s a rhythm-stabilizer for Jesuit’s lineup.

While offensive stats might not always dominate highlight reels, his situational scoring and rebounding often tell a fuller story. Coaches appreciate players who can close gaps, make winning plays without needing isolation touches, and contribute in five-minute spurts without disappearing. Many of the recruiting offers tied to Garwood reflect that very belief: he can be plugged into different roles, expanded or contracted depending on matchup needs, and reinforce team traits like toughness and positional flexibility.

That’s not to say his game doesn’t have clear avenues for growth. As Garwood progresses toward collegiate competition, continued refinement in shot creation and consistency from three will be crucial. Shooting with rhythm off catch and curl, picking apart closeouts, and building a more repeatable creation package will help elevate him from good rotational wing to starter-caliber contributor.

Defensively, his size and strength are positives, but reacting quicker in space against smaller guards will be another step. When Garwood integrates subtle footwork enhancements and agility work into his regimen, opposing ball-handlers will find fewer seams to exploit.

Off the court, Garwood carries a competitive spirit that coaches praise. His eye for detail — described in scouting circles as a player who “hates losing” — pushes him to invest in offseason camps, summer circuits, and club competitions like the Prep Hoops Michigan showcase, where he’s continued to display his athleticism and readiness to compete against diverse competition.

At the end of the day, Garwood’s narrative is one of steady progression. He’s not a flash recruit with one blockbuster offer — but arguably that’s exactly what makes his story compelling. He’s the type of player who earns his minutes, adapts, and elevates teammates just as much as himself. For many mid-major and junior college staffs, that’s exactly the kind of wing who helps teams win.

In the ever-competitive 2026 class, Jaden Garwood represents a recruit whose tools are trusted, whose impact is felt in more ways than scoring alone, and whose game has the scaffolding to grow into a reliable collegiate contributor. As he continues to refine his craft, he’s likely to find a role — anywhere from mid-major starting lineups to key rotational minutes — where his physicality, versatility, and basketball IQ tip the scales in his team’s favor.