4-star Jaeden Mustaf talks official visits

On3 imageby:Jamie Shaw11/25/22

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Jaeden Mustaf is No. 45 in the 2024 On3 150. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 12.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.4 steals with the New World program on the Adidas 3SSB 17u Circuit.

“I think I’ve become a better leader this season,” Mustaf told On3. “When things aren’t going the way we want, still leading my team. I’m going to play hard and will always fight for my team.”

The four-star transferred to Matthews (NC) Carmel Christian this summer. On3 caught up with Jaeden Mustaf after a recent game to talk about visits and his recruitment.

“I’ve taken two official visits, Georgetown and Florida State,” Mustaf said. “I’ve talked a lot with Indiana, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Miami, and NC State wants to get me back up there. I took an unofficial to NC State.”

Mustaf talks recruiting

Georgetown: “The coaching staff has a lot of fun with each other. Of course, they’re like a family, but that group of coaches really gets along well. They always tell me what I could bring to the team and how I would help them; I think it’s a good spot to fit in.”

Florida State: “It’s like a big family down there. The players all get along down there, and when I was on my visit, they made me feel like I was one of them. They think I play how they coach, versatility and tough defense.”

Indiana: “They’re constantly on me, at least every other day. They talk to me about school, practice, everything. That stands out for me.”

Maryland: “The new staff has been in touch a good bit. Being home would be a big part of it for me, playing in front of my family and friends. I’m close with the coaches too.”

Virginia Tech: “That was one of the first schools that started recruiting me, so them still being in there with me means a lot. Then you have my former coach there, and I have a good relationship with the head coach.”

Miami: “Coach Larranaga texts with me all the time, it’s not usually always the head coaches who are recruiting you, so it says a lot that he’s the one contacting me.”

NC State: “They keep up with me, ask me how my day is going, how I’m playing. It’s also close to me now that I’m in North Carolina. I could see myself playing in that type of environment.”

“I’m hearing a lot of LSU, UConn, and Kansas,” Mustaf said. “They haven’t offered, but they’ve been keeping in touch.”

In Mustaf’s words

“I’m looking for a family-oriented program. A place where I am able just to be myself. I want to go somewhere I can be coached hard, improve my game, and win all at the same time.

“I think being able to play the one, two, or the three at the next level, not being restricted into playing any one way. I’ll want to play in a set system but with the freedom to make plays.”

Scouting report

Jaeden Mustaf is a big-bodied wing who plays with a straight line burst. He is a jack-of-all-trades type of wing in that he can handle, shoot, and pass, playing multiple positions on the floor. Mustaf is a good team defender and rebounds well for his wing position. The jump shot needs work as it is streaky and a bit of a push shot right now, but he makes it some. As a long-armed 6-foot-5 wing, there are many things teams can do with Mustaf, and he is a triple-double threat each time he steps on the floor. His father, Jerrod Mustaf, was a first-round NBA draft pick in 1990.