By Bobby Narang
Jaden Schutt is making the most of his delayed Summer.
The Yorkville Christian High School incoming senior guard in basketball is among the top players in the State for his class and is attracting attention from a wide range of schools across the Country who are looking to add his diverse skill set to their college rosters.
Michigan State University head coach Tom Izzo was in attendance for most of the recent three-day Ridgewood Shootout, and watched Schutt from the first row. The Spartans are among a large group of Power Five Conference teams in pursuit of Schutt, an AAU teammate of Michigan State signee and recent Rolling Meadows High School graduate, Max Christie. A five-star recruit, Christie is the first high-profile player that Michigan State signed from Illinois since 2013, when Malik Hall signed with the Spartans.
The 6-5 Schutt already has offers from numerous schools, including Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio State.
Schutt said it was a cool sight to see so many coaches watching him play in person after the pandemic didn’t allow in-person visits, on or off campus, for recruits.
“It’s great that everything is getting back to normal,” he said. “It was a good Spring (for me). I’ve gotten in the weight room, added some more pounds and developed my handle, coming off different screens, and getting smarter.”
Schutt said his recent schedule included an unofficial visit to Illinois, and official visits to Michigan State and Iowa and a visit planned for Wisconsin Monday.
“It was nice to go back on campus and see the coaches,” Schutt said. “The (Illinois) was the first visit, it was definitely cool to see the facilities and talk to the coaches and get in depth for what they see from me. (Michigan State) I’ve been up there, just wanted to make an official….I talked to the guys, conversations with the players, which I hadn’t had.
“I have to let coaches to see me, some officials (visits) in the Fall and hopefully I’ll have a decision (by then)….The relationships with the coaches and playing style are important to me.”
Possessing a quick release to go with a deadly shooting stroke from well beyond the three-point line, Schutt has made 217 three-pointers in his first three seasons to score 1,400 career points. He averaged 26.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.6 steals this season, while shooting 40.3% from the three-point line and 84% on free throws to lead his Class 1A team to a 10-1 record in the Spring.