‘Shoot it’: the simple instruction driving Jayden Stone

Jayden Stone expected a detailed list of instructions when he joined the reigning NBL champions. Brian Goorjian reduced the first priority to two words.

Shoot it.

“Be confident in my shot, be a shot-taker,” Stone said. “He’ll worry about the making. My job is to take the right shots, the good shots, and think shoot first.”

Sydney targeted Stone for more than his shooting. At guard, he can handle the one or two, rebound, slide to the three and defend across those positions. His size gives the Kings a different shape alongside Davis and Dellavedova, while his willingness to play as either a glue player or creator gives Goorjian flexibility.

Stone is also receiving one of basketball’s more valuable induction programs. Dellavedova has been sending him short post-practice and postgame messages, often five dot points covering what he did well, what he could improve and what to look for next.

“It’s been crazy,” Stone said. “I’ve picked up defensive tips, movement and where he likes the ball in transition. I’m learning to read and react from him.”

The professional environment has required adjustment. College basketball structured almost every part of a player’s day; professional basketball places the responsibility back on the player. The bodies are bigger, straight-line drives close more quickly and nobody organises the details for him.

Stone is approaching the competition for minutes without trying to predict it.

“You control what you can control and everything will take care of itself,” he said. “At Missouri, it wasn’t guaranteed that I would play or start. I worked my way up and kept climbing. I’ll do the same here.”

His immediate goal is to prove that he belongs with work that can be seen in his defence, rebounding, shot-making and willingness to contribute wherever the team needs him.

The Championship Banner raise at Game 1 on September 20, will celebrate the teammates who produced the title before Stone arrived. He intends to honour it by adding “extra gusto” once the new season begins.

“I’m not taking it for granted,” he said. “I’m working hard and not taking any days off.”

Meet Jayden when the Kings open their title pursuit against Cairns.