Player Profile: 2023 Calvary Christian G Jaylen Curry

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – Back in May, 2023 guard Jaylen Curry made the announcement that he was headed to Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian for his senior campaign.

The 6-foot-2 North Carolina native was a highly productive varsity athlete right out of the gates as a freshman at Chambers High in Charlotte. Now, he will be the leader of his new group night in and night out in South Florida.

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Curry settled into his new stomping grounds at Calvary Christian this fall and said that everyone has helped with a smooth transition in the classroom and on the court as well.

Curry’s offer list:

• Pittsburgh
• Alabama
• Texas A&M
• Murray State
• Florida State
• East Carolina
• Memphis
• Ole Miss
• Appalachian State
• Memphis
• USF
• Providence
• Old Dominion
• Western Carolina
• Virginia Tech
• North Carolina A&T
• Xavier
• South Carolina

Moving South

The decision to transfer down south came to fruition as he was able to watch Calvary Christian multiple times on nationally televised games on ESPN last season. His family contacted head coach Cilk McSweeney and Calvary Christian represented a very good option considering his other move was a prep school where he’d have to live on his own.

Curry will be tasked to be the lead point guard and calming presence out of the backcourt this season.

Coach McSweeney told me that his school is going the national route starting this season as a Nike Elite Program and will not participate in the FHSAA playoffs anymore. After winning back-to-back Class 4A state titles, Calvary Christian will be on the road for top tournaments often this season as an independent squad and play a few games locally as well.

Over the last three seasons, Curry averaged 11.5 PPG, 6.5 APG, 3.4 RPG, 3.0 SPG: Chambers – 2019-20, Combine Academy (2020-21) and Chambers (2021-22).

During his junior season, he recorded career marks with 14.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 10.2APGand 2.9 SPG as he guided Chambers to a 22-7 record and an Elite 8 appearance.

As he sophomore, he only played 10 games after suffering an injury.

High Level Experiences

Last July, Curry won gold with USA Basketball – U16 in the 2021 FIBA Americas in Mexico.

“It was really a good experience playing with other top players. You had to find a role on that team,” Curry said. “Because there were so many scorers. It was like, you had to try to fit in and we made it happen. And when we got down there to Mexico, we won and we figured everything out and we earned gold.”

This past summer, Curry played in the EYBL with Boo Williams, running the show for the 17U squad.

“Boo [Williams] taught me like how to be a better point guard, to fill out my teammates a little bit more and just put ’em in the best position to score,” he said. “Other coaches on the coaching staff, just helped me to be more vocal and talk more to my teammates on and off the court.”

In terms of his offer list (see above), Curry said that he is completely open right now.

He told me he is looking for a school where he can fit right in basketball-wise and earn a great education.

Headed into his senior year, Curry broke down his top strengths and what he is aiming to improve.

“I’m going to put my teammates in the best position to score and I’m going to do everything that coach asks me to do on the court,” he said. “I’m a three-level scorer and I can create on both sides of the court.”

Curry says he aims to get stronger, be more vocal and play harder tough-nosed defense this upcoming season.

Journey Through Hoops

Hoops started for Curry at the age of five. He played football as well for a few years growing up but says he stopped playing that because he simply fell in love with the game of basketball.

The moment when he truly thought he could take this basketball life to the next level was at the annual MSHTV camp. Curry said he blew up the camp and knew right then and there that this was something he wanted to continue to mature at.

Curry’s Fit With Calvary Christian

As a highly skilled point guard, Curry will be tasked to run the show for the Ft. Lauderdale group.

“I think that everybody’s familiar with our last two years and the teams that we had. Compared to our 2017 team, I think the biggest difference was just basically having another coach on the floor,” McSweeney said. “A floor general, just to be able to get guys in their spots, locate guys when they need a shot, and find openings. I think that’s key to him [Curry] being a floor general.”

I think that’s what we were kind of missing the last few years. So for us to be able to have him [Curry], it is a blessing. I think with the team that we have around him, it is going to be a special year.”

Calvary Christian has a slew of talent in place alongside Curry. 2023 6-4 guard/forward Carl Cherenfant will make his commitment on Sunday night between Memphis, St. John’s and UCF.

Also at the forefront: 2023 6-11 center Jake Warren (transfer from Pennsylvania Downingtown West – offers – Marist, St. Joseph & Colgate), 2024 7-0 center Ethan Lathan (transfer from Missouri Link – offers – Missouri) and 2025 6-5 guard Shon Abaev (transfer from Miami Country Day – offers – SMU, FGCU, NJIT and St. John’s).

Rounding out the depth are: 2023 6-5 guard Derrick Edouard (transfer from North Miami), 2026 6-5 guard Ian Parham (offer from Jackson State), 2025 6-6 forward Malachi Martis (offer from St, John’s) and 2024 6-7 forward John Roland.

Calvary Christian has been highly competitive over these last decade, winning a ton of games. Now, as an independent squad, they’ll have a chance to play in the biggest tournaments in the country and to truly compete for the Geico Nationals.

With Curry running the show, this team should be dangerous and a whole lot of fun to watch.

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Jake Perper has covered sports as a writer since 2010 and a basketball scout since 2015. He was the Southeast Scouting Director for the Prep Hoops Circuit and the lead scout for Prep Hoops’ Florida site for seven years. You can follow him on Twitter @thehoopvibe.