When Benet senior guard Jayden Wright committed to Eastern Illinois, it was a cause for celebration in his family.
Wright, who helped the Redwings win their first state championship last season, is continuing a family legacy that stretches back two generations. Wright’s father, Jason, played point guard at EIU from 2001 to 2005, and his grandfather Jerry played wide receiver for the EIU football team in the 1980s.
“It’s awesome,” Jayden Wright said. “Just the way it all worked out, it was really cool. It was like meant to be because they both went there.”
Despite the family history, Jayden Wright wasn’t familiar with the campus in Charleston until the recruitment process.
“I think when I went there for my visit, that was the first time I had ever been there,” he said. “I’ve heard a bunch of stories.”
Jerry Wright, who was inducted into the EIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, is a former two-time All-American. He earned first-team honors in 1984, when he caught 76 passes for 1,029 yards. The Panthers’ quarterback at the time was Naperville Central graduate Sean Payton, who is the head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Jason Wright told his son all about EIU’s basketball program.
“He said he really liked his time there, and so he thought I was going to like it too,” Jayden Wright said. “He said the basketball program is good and the environment there is good and he thought it was a good fit for me too.”
Benet’s Jayden Wright (3) drives to the basket against Downers Grove North during the Class 4A Benet Sectional championship game in Lisle on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Naperville Sun)
Jayden Wright thought so, too, after visiting EIU.
“I just felt really wanted,” he said. “Especially when I was on campus, I just liked everything that I saw.
“The way that they play, I’m going to fit in really good, and I think I’m going to have a chance to play right away, so that was a big thing for me too. But probably the biggest thing was they really wanted me.”
The Panthers offered Jayden Wright in June, and he committed on Aug. 2, thrilling his relatives.
“They were really excited,” he said. “My dad would have been excited no matter what place it was, but since it was there, he was even more excited. It was kind of a full-circle moment.
“Same with my grandpa. I remember when I committed, he called me right away, and he was really happy for me and excited.”
So was Benet coach Gene Heidkamp.
“There’s a lot of family tradition there, a lot of history there,” Heidkamp said. “We’re all excited to see him make that commitment, and I couldn’t be prouder of him or the opportunity he’s going to have there.
“I know he’s worked very hard for the opportunity. He’s had a great career for us so far, and we’re hoping for a big senior year as well.”
The Redwings are counting on Jayden Wright to take on an even bigger role in his third varsity season. As a junior, he made a team-high 74 3-pointers and averaged 12.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists while splitting point guard duties with Blake Fagbemi.
Fagbemi is a freshman at Illinois, which means Jayden Wright will be the Redwings’ primary ball handler.
“Last year we played with two point guards on the floor, which is a huge luxury to have,” Heidkamp said. “We’ll be more point guard-oriented this year. Jayden is going to need to run the show, set the table for others, while still scoring the ball for us.
“He had a great summer doing those things. We’re pretty confident he’s going to come through for us.”
Benet’s Jayden Wright (3) shoots over Nazareth’s Luke Dimit (4) during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Lisle on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)
Jayden Wright said he’s ready to do so.
“I’m definitely going to have the ball in my hands a lot more, which I’m definitely not unfamiliar with,” he said. “That’s kind of what I’m used to. I think it’s going to be good.”
Three starters graduated after the Redwings beat Warren 55-54 in the Class 4A state championship game. But Jayden Wright still has high expectations.
“We were really happy with what we were able to accomplish last year, but we’re not satisfied,” he said. “We know we still have a lot of work to do.
“We’re going to have a good chance to maybe go back to back if we just keep working and play how we can play. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.