Winston-Salem State University

2024-25: Jaiden Thompson played 26 games and started 13 averaging 21.8 minutes per game. He totaled 113 points, 66 rebounds, 52 assists, 22 steals, and 2 blocks.

Personal: Jaiden is a Sports Management Major who joined The Rams in fall of 2024 as a transfer student from Charleston Southern University. He plays as a 6-foot guard and had a notable Freshman season in 2023-24 being named to The Big South Conference All-Freshman Team. During that season, he served as a backup point guard, made a few starts, and posted career highs in assists and points during key games. His mom is Keyna Ricks out of Charlotte, NC. Jaiden’s favorite hobbies outside of basketball is spending time with God, his family and fishing. His Great Grandfather John “Bogie” Ricks was an All-American inducted into The Basketball Hall of Fame at The Henderson Institute in Henderson, NC. His favorite food is pasta, specifically Chicken Alfredo, favorite movie is the Fast Furious series and his favorite basketball memories is the Final Four game his Senior Year against West Charlotte and playing in The Throne National Championship. God willing, Jaiden hopes to play professionally after college and help continue the legacy here at WSSU.
He Graduated from Central Cabarrus High School in Concord, NC where he had a Career Record: 81-13, won 2023 3A State Championship and voted the 2023 3A Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Jaiden is a 2x SPC Conference Player of the Year for 2022 and 2023. Also, the SPC Conference Player of the Year Runner-Up 2021. Jaiden also played in the first annual The Throne National Championship. During his High School career he was the Varsity Team Captain all four years, scored over 1500 career points, over 400 career rebounds and had 350 career steals & assists. Jaiden was the NC Mr. Basketball Nominee 2022, 2x NC All-State, HoopSeen NC Junior of the Year 2022, PrepHoops NC Top 25, Phenom Hoops Top 80, 3x All-Conference, 3x All-County, 2x All-District and his best HS game was during the Elite 8 vs Enka in 2022, 37p 9r 7a 5s 0t 13/19 FG 6/9 3FG.