Longwood University Athletics

FARMVILLE, Va. – Tapping into a burgeoning Virginia recruiting pipeline once again, Longwood head coach Griff Aldrich announced the signing of Norfolk guard Jaylani Darden to a National Letter of Intent as part of the Lancers' 2020-21 signing class.
 
A 6-4 point guard out of reigning Virginia High School League (VHSL) 5A State Co-Champion Norview High School, Darden averaged 19.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game as a junior. He has averaged double-digit scoring in each of his first three years of high school basketball, including 16.0 points as a sophomore and 14.5 points as a freshman.
 
​"We are thrilled to have Jaylani and his family join our program," said Aldrich, also a native of the Tidewater area. "At 6-4, Jaylani possesses a unique combination of size, passing ability, IQ and length that enables him to impact the game in many different ways."
 
Darden's junior-year production earned him 2019-20 Eastern District Player of the Year honors and helped propel the Pilots to a share of the VHSL 5A state title. He was also named an all-state first team and All-Tidewater first team selection.
 
"We are excited to bring his versatility to Longwood and look forward to his positive impact on our team," Aldrich said. "A product of the Boo Williams EYBL program, Jaylani is another Tidewater area player that has played against national competition and excelled, and we look forward to his further development with the Lancers."
 
Darden is Aldrich's second signee from the coastal region of Virginia, joining Virginia Beach native DeShaun Wade who was part of the 2019-20 class. Slated to join the Lancer program as a freshman next season, Darden will be the sixth Virginia native on the Lancers' 2021-22 roster.
 
An honor roll student, Darden plans to major in kinesiology, play professionally, and pursue a career in sports medicine or physical education after the conclusion of his basketball career.
 
As a freshman Lancer in 2021-22, Darden will step into the revitalization of a Longwood program that has achieved numerous milestones and program firsts since Aldrich was named head coach in March of 2018. During Aldrich's tenure, the Lancers have earned their first Division I postseason bid when they went to the 2019 College Basketball Invitational, won their first Division I postseason game when they defeated Southern Miss 90-68 in that tournament, set a program record for Big South wins (9) and Big South finish (4th) in 2019-20, and amassed an 18-11 home record in Willett Hall, the team's best two-year home stretch since making the jump to the Division I level in 2004-05.
 
The Lancers will resume their 2020-21 season this Sunday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. in the home opener against Greensboro College in Willett Hall.
 
#GoWood