Jaelon Germany is good and he’s been good for a long time. I once wrote a piece on former TCU standout Mike Miles and his rise from social media stardom to being a surefire recruit as a 10 year old and this feels eerily familiar.
I first came across Germany, the Crowley and IFN 16U lead guard, playing grassroots basketball for former program director, NBA legend, and current Jackson St. head man Mo Williams. Playing alongside high school teammate Kam McGilvear and North Crowley guard Isaak Hayes, they were a force to be reckoned with. Personally, I don’t believe in evaluating elementary school players and tabbing them as elite but it was crystal clear these kids were going to be special. Fast forward 6 years, and Jaelon has developed in to the type of lead guard you want running your college program.
“I’m a pass first guard, I consider myself more of a facilitator,” said Germany. “I like to get my teammates involved but I can score the ball well and I play defense.”
I saw him first hand at this June’s TABC live period showcase and he’s spot on with his own assessment. Germany can get to any spot on the floor, whenever he wants to. You can’t speed him up and when he’s in attack mode, it’s a long day for the opposing defense, buckets from all over the floor.
Surprisingly, he’s not satisfied. “I just came in from working out outside, I know I can get better.” “What do you mean outside? I said.” “When I can’t find a gym I go outside,” said Jaelon. I thought the era of the outdoor hooper was over, especially in Texas heat, but my hopes are still alive.
“My motor is what I’m working on the most. I can play harder. Picking up 94 feet, rebounding and getting in better shape,” said Germany.
He’s turned his work ethic and his game in to several college offers. “Texas State, Mississippi State, San Jose State, Oral Roberts, Mississippi St offered me last year, and Jackson St just offered me.” Now you use to play for Mo, what would that be like? “It would be great, I know I can trust him. The relationship is there already,” said Germany. “I know he knows me and will push me. He knows how to get me going. He knows how to push my buttons.”
From playing for a former NBA All-Star as a youth to playing his summers now with De’Aaron Fox, he’s learned from some of the best to ever play the position. “De’Aaron is the best player I’ve ever seen in my life , he teaches us a lot. He’s talked to me about scoring with less dribbles, transition work, and talked to me about my motor and ways to get in better in shape.”
Germany seems primed for a personal breakout high school season but it is what he wants to do for his high school that is the most impressive. “I want to win a state championship, win district. I want people to know we are not the Crowley they’ve been used. Cam played with me at RM5 too and he is going to bring energy, he’s the best defender in the state in my opinion. Cam is blowing up and it will help the both of us. We are the toughest backcourt in the state.”
Before the summer is out he will make two stops on the Under Armour Circuit, July 11th-14th in Cartersville, Georgia and Chicago, Illinois July 19th-21st.
Crowley and Head Coach Demarqus James has something special brewing over off of I-35W with Germany leading the way, but one thing is for sure he’s a player to watch now.
