Cincinnati Bearcat Commit Jaidyn Gunter Ready For Senior Season At Legion Prep

Legion Prep Academy Senior Jaidyn Gunter Set for a New Season

For Legion Prep’s new point guard, Jaidyn Gunter, the November 1st  season opener against powerhouse, Montverde couldn’t come fast enough after sitting out last season with an ACL injury. The highly touted University of Cincinnati commit is one of the top point guards in the stacked 2026 class from Texas. Gunter joins a talented roster at Legion Prep for her final prep run. The VIP Crew caught up with Gunter to discuss her anticipated return, expectations for the upcoming season, and much more!

The VIP Crew: You have an awesome name because my daughter’s name is Jaidyn. Your middle name wouldn’t happen to be, Rose would it.

Gunter: It’s a great name. No, my middle name is Angel.

The VIP Crew: Angel and Rose goes hand and hand. You tore your ACL last year abruptly ending your season. How did physical therapy go and how is the knee feeling?

Gunter: Physical therapy was good. It was long, but it got me right. Now, I’m feeling good, my knee is feeling good. I’m still doing extra work to maintain the muscle in my knee. There is always room to improve, so I’m always improving and getting better still.

The VIP Crew: Was the road to your comeback more physically or mentally tough to deal with, or a combination of the two?

Gunter: I would say it was a combination of both. Mentally, you’re facing doubts like, am I going to be the same player when I come back, what are others going to think. You have a lot of questions running through your mind as you’re playing. You know that can affect the way you play too, having all those questions. Physically, you gotta be patient with yourself. You gotta get back into the groove of it. Your body is obviously not going to be right when you first go back. Being in shape wise and getting a feel back into the game. It will all come with time. It was definitely both mentally and physically tough.

The VIP Crew: Your game relies on a ton of things, you can put up shots quickly, but one thing that you may not get praised for as much is your physicality in the paint. Whether you are scoring for facilitating, you’re strong in the paint. Do you feel that part of your game is back or is that still a process as well?

Gunter: I feel like I’ve been able to get back into it. I’ve also added some more things to my game. My shot has become more consistent. Being off the court for so long allowed me to see the game from a different perspective. I’m able to read plays better, understand how players want the ball, and things like that. I feel I have a better understanding of the game now.

The VIP Crew: You are one of the top players in Texas. When you have garnered so much attention for such a long time, does it become irritating, or do you take it all in stride and enjoy the moment?

Gunter: I definitely enjoy the moment. Being on the court is a blessing and people recognizing what you’re doing and all the hard work that you put in is definitely a blessing as well.

The VIP Crew: You played circuit ball in front of some big crowds. I’m sure that has helped you adapt for what’s to come.

Gunter: Yes! I played in front of numerous college coaches, especially with some of the teammates that I have. We all attract college coaches. I’ve played in front of Coach [Niele] Ivey, Coach Geno [Auriemma], Kim Caldwell… Tennessee’s coach. Basically, every coach in the country.

The VIP Crew: What are the expectations this season from yourself and from the team at Legion Prep?

Gunter: I expect for us all to go out and play hard, have fun, and make it to Chipotle Nationals. Learn and grow as a team. We are all friends off of the court, so I am excited for that too. The main goal for our team is that we win, Chipotle Nationals.

The VIP Crew: I am going to pull you out of your humbleness for just a minute. Watching you play, it’s hard to imagine there are two to three better point guards that you coming out of the state of Texas.

Gunter: Thank you for that statement. I put in a lot of work through the week and on the weekends. I’ll just wait for it to show on the court.

The VIP Crew: Obviously, the ACL injury is nobody’s fault, but are you returning with a bit of a chip on your shoulder because the thing you love and passionate about was snatched away from you last season?

Gunter: Of course! With me being out last year, I’m coming for everything that I want this year. I’m going out there and playing my hardest for things that I don’t have.

The VIP Crew: I love your relationship with Jacy Abii who is the #1 player coming out of Texas. You guys really click and there seems to be no egos involved during your interactions. And now teams have to face both of you, that’s scary.

Gunter: We have both been playing basketball since we were 3 years old. We met at the park across the street. She used to live in this house and behind the houses was this apartment complex and there was a park across the street. We met playing at the playground. That transferred into us playing at the YMCA, then we played kindergarten ball together, all the way up until now. I feel like it’s really a blessing to have a friend, a teammate, she’s basically family. I’m so blessed to have her by my side. I am so excited to go into my senior season with her as a teammate.

The VIP Crew: Given the squad you guys have at Legion Prep this season, I’m sure you guys are expecting everyone’s best on that court.

Gunter: Yes, of course! I don’t expect anything less than other team’s best when we play them. I’m going out thinking, all of these teams are going to give us everything they have. I’m expecting that from everybody. I’m excited to play this season and hopefully dominate.

The VIP Crew: Jacy tore her ACL as well. Was that something you were able to help her get through and assist?

Gunter: Yes, we were both there for each other. She came to see me after I had my surgery. I went to see her. We helped each other throughout the whole process mentally and physically. We have gone through some tough times with that. Whenever we were still recovering, we went to strength and conditioning together.

The VIP Crew: You are a Cincinnati Bearcats commit. What was it about that school that earned your commitment?

Gunter: That school was a great fit for me because it was very much a family-oriented team. The coaches care about me as more than just a basketball player. They care about me off the court as well. They want to see me succeed in life and they really want what is best for me.

The VIP Crew: Do you feel there will be an adjustment period going from Texas to Cincinnati, or have you

not gotten that far and just focusing on your upcoming senior season?

Gunter: I’m tackling my senior season first. But I am excited to go up there. I’ve already been there for an

official visit and an unofficial visit. I’m really excited about going. I’m taking it one hurdle at a time.

The VIP Crew: Jaidyn, I wish you the best of luck this season. I will definitely be keeping up with your girls. Is there anything else you’d like to add, anyone you want to thank?

Gunter: I’d just like to thank my coaches, my parents, and everybody that has helped me throughout this

14-year journey of my basketball career.