Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics

The Cal Poly Humboldt men’s basketball team has added an athletic combo forward to the roster for the 2024/24 season.

Jaeden Hutchins out of Prolific Prep in Napa will join Chris Tifft’s team, as the second-year head coach looks to put his stamp on the local university roster.

Hutchins is a 6’ 8″ forward from Half Moon Bay and spent his senior high school season at Prolific Prep in Napa, a team that finished the year ranked seventh in the country, according to the SCNext Top 25 Final 2023-24 high school basketball rankings.

“Jaeden is exactly what we were looking for in a young, athletic combo forward,” Tifft said. “His ability to run the floor and play above the rim will add the type of length and athleticism we sorely missed last season.”

The versatile Hutchins’ ability to shoot from downtown should also benefit the Jacks.

“He can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting, giving us the flexibility to play him at multiple positions,” Tifft added. “Jaeden spent last season competing with and against the top high school players in the country, preparing him for the next level. We are excited to welcome him to the Lumberjacks.” 

Before joining Prolific Prep, Hutchins played at Half Moon Bay High School and averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game in his junior season.

He shot 67 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc. 

In his junior campaign, Hutchins helped lead the Cougars to a Division-4 State championship game appearance and averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds in the postseason. 

Hutchins is the sixth new recruit for the Jacks this offseason, joining Kyle Frelow, Kalib LaCount, Josiah Sanders, Cade Potter and Aidan Fowler.