Who is recruiting '24 Jaeden Mustaf hardest? 4-star sets 1st official visit
On3 has Jaeden Mustaf ranked No. 43 in the 2024 class, higher than the other three major scouting services. The four-star guard transferred to defending state champion Matthews (NC) Carmel Christian this summer.
“I became more of a leader in July,” Mustaf told On3. “My jump shot has improved, but I think I became a leader for my teammates in July. I watch a lot of Anthony Edwards, with how he uses his athleticism, and we are a lot of the same size. I like to watch Devin Booker and how he gets to his spots. I’ll tend to go all the way to the rim, and I know the higher the level I get to, I will have to stop and pull up and learn that.”
The 6-foot-5 guard was the MVP of the Adidas 3SSB Circuit Championship as he led his New World team to the title. On3 met Jaeden Mustaf at his most recent open gym to discuss his recruitment.
“I hear a lot from Indiana, Georgetown, Virginia Tech,
Mustaf talks recruitment
Indiana: “I know about their history. I know they haven’t really won recently, but just a few years ago, they were one of the top schools in the country. Coach Mike Woodson used to coach in the NBA and went back to coach at his alma mater. I know some of their players, and I like their team. They love how I compete and want to get me up for a visit soon, and I’m trying to do that soon.”
Virginia Tech: “They see me as a point guard or a shooting guard. They love my versatility; they say that I could guard the one through four on defense. I have a good connection with the coaches overall. It’s good to know people; my former coach (Associate Head Coach Mike Jones) and my former teammate (Rodney Rice) are there. It won’t be a big deal overall, but it is good to know people.”
Georgetown: “They are kind of like family; Coach Pat (Ewing) is basically like family to me. I would be coming back home, playing in front of my people. They have been on me really hard recently. They think I could be a huge piece for them and help them become what they used to be.”
Mustaf sets first official visit
Florida State: “I know a lot about them, just being in the ACC and watching them a lot on tv. I planned my first official visit to go there on October 14 and 15. I talk a lot to Coach (Leonard) Hamilton and Coach (Steve) Smith. They play a lot of defense; they play hard and usually win. Florida State has a lot of big guards in the pros, which is where I want to be. They haven’t officially offered me yet.”
Mustaf talks unofficial visits
Georgia: “I’m going there on October 8.
Virginia Tech: “I’ll go back up there on September 22
“I’m working on setting a visit up on October 22,” Mustaf said. “We are talking with Ohio State, but we are working through if we are going to make that official or unofficial.”
In his words
I want to be in the pros,” Mustaf said. “And I don’t want just to be sitting in the pros; I want to be ready and play.
“I’m going to be looking for a place that is going to help me improve to the best I can be. I want to win at the next level, but I want to be in the pros. I want to go somewhere that is like a family, with people I am comfortable with, and I know care for me.
“I’ll look at the play style and system, how the coach plans on using me; being able to create.”
In On3’s words
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.