DeMatha senior guard Jayden Smothers has committed to play basketball at Saint Francis University (SFU). The 6-5 guard who plays AAU for Inspire Elite announced his decision via an Instagram post on Wednesday, April 29.
While Penn State-Harrisburg was on Jayden’s radar for basketball, and Old Dominion, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and Towson had his attention academically, Jayden ultimately committed to play for the Red Flash.
“I chose (SFU) because it is a place where I can focus on myself when it comes to academics, and although it might be small, it helps me connect with more people and build new friendships,” Smothers said
As one of five seniors, Jayden averaged 2 points, 2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 0.5 steals per game. He helped the Stags to a 21-10 record this winter, including an 8-4 mark in the WCAC. Smothers ended his high school career against Clinton Grace in the Maryland Private School State Basketball Tournament (MDPSSBT) semifinals. The team lost 73-63, with Jayden playing six minutes off the bench.
“Smothers was consistent, worked hard every day, turned himself into a really good player. … He made a huge jump between his sophomore and junior years, and that is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the game. I think it showed in his senior year because he was pivotal for us,” Coach Mike G. Jones III said.
Jayden will join a loaded guard squad with eight guards on the Saint Francis roster, including rising seniors Trey Weiand, Ryan Gresko, rising juniors Melvin Weaver III, Victor Payne, Brandon Russell, Paris Papadatos, and rising sophomores Carson Rhodes and Brandon Rabish.
Smothers’s freshman class at (SFU) will include small forward Kasen Metzger and guard Amonte Johnson.
In Jayden’s two years on DeMatha’s varsity team, the program went 44-17, a winning percentage of 0.706. He helped lead them to a 2024 finals appearance in the Maryland private school tournament and a 2025 semifinals appearance in the same competition. The team also made two quarterfinal appearances in the WCAC with Jayden on the roster. After his senior season, he took part in the Beyond the Game Showcase, where he had 25 points and 13 rebounds and took home MVP honors from the showcase.
This year, DeMatha finished as the No. 1 team in Maryland according to Rivals, the No. 42 team in the country according to MaxPreps, and No. 8 in the All-Met rankings. Note, this season’s rankings were done by a newly formed organization, The All-Metropolitans. The Washington Post eliminated its sports section, and with it their high school sports coverage, including All-Met teams and players. To form the new rankings, many people from around high school basketball in the DMV got a vote on the players and teams, including former Post writers.
For the Red Flash, they are trying to get back to success. During the 2024-2025 season, they won the Northeast Conference and clinched a berth in the NCAA tournament’s first four, their first appearance in the tournament in 34 years. Following the season, Coach Rob Krimmel announced his retirement after 13 seasons as head coach. They promoted assistant coach Luke McConnell to the head coach position. In McConnell’s first year, they went 7-24 and 5-13 in the Northeast Conference. This was the university’s last year in Division I as they are making the transition to Division III in all sports and will be joining the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
“Coach McConnell and Coach Sweetney and the rest of the staff have welcomed me with open arms and showed me a place where I know I can get better and push me in the right direction to achieve my goals,” Smothers said.
Jayden is the definition of a blue-collar player, playing with high energy and effort, which allows him on the defensive to have an incredible feel off the ball to beat opponents to the loose ball. With his high basketball IQ, he always seems to find himself in the right place at the right time to get a steal and go take it down the lane for two and the foul. This ability translates offensively, where he was one of the team’s best mid-range shooters, hitting at a 53.3% rate from inside the paint. He is also a glue guy, being a high motivator and always bringing the highest intensity for the team in the biggest of moments. With more time on the court and an expanded role, he is bound for success in Loretto.
“Huge bright side, I think he is going to be a good player in college. … I think his best years are ahead of him,” Coach Jones said.
Disclosure: Jayden Smothers is a staff writer for The Stagline this spring.
