Magic's Desmond Bane dazzled by Cayden Daughtry's scoring outburst

Cayden Daughtry put on a scoring showcase during the Peach Jam on Thursday.

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.

— Peach Jam is the premier event of summer AAU basketball and one of the biggest stages for some of the best high school players in the country to play in front of NBA scouts, college coaches and current NBA players who stopped by to get eyes on the future talent on the rise.

Paul George, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, Desmond Bane, Ja Morant and Anthony Black all have AAU programs participating this week in the 15U to 17U divisions. Those NBA players have, at times, been watching some of the top incoming seniors who could be hitting the NBA in 2-3 years.

“The atmosphere is unbelievable,” Bane, a guard for the Orlando Magic, told NBA.com. “I was just sitting talking to our program director (from Bainsville Academy) and told them we have to find a way to be a part of this for as many years as possible moving forward. It’s really special to have it at a place like this because if you’re here, it’s only for basketball and it’s cool to be here and be a part of it and see all the talent coming up.”

One player who is turning heads is 6-foot point guard Cayden Daughtry of the Florida Rebels. He broke the Peach Jam single-game scoring record Thursday night when he

posted 43 points

(14-of-24 from the field, 4-for-7 on 3-pointers) in a triple-overtime thriller against the New York Rens.

Daughtry first scored the game-tying bucket at the end of regulation when he blew past four players mid-court and finished with a dunk at the right side of the rim. He then rattled in a deep 3-pointer at the end of the second overtime to send it to a one-minute third OT.

It was a back-and-forth game that had the gym on its feet. Daughtry and the Florida Rebels fell short in the final seconds and lost, 84-83. But that performance was enough to solidify him and his scoring performance as one of the best moments in Peach Jam History.

“That kid (Daughtry) can play,” Bane said. “This is my first time seeing him and he’s like a true point guard but can also score and I like the way he carries himself. He’s a hell of a player.”

In three games, Daughtry has scored 109 points, dished out 20 assists and forced 13 steals. He has been the most impactful player of the summer as he led his Florida Rebels team to a 13-2 regular season record and they’re one of the favorite teams to win Peach Jam.

“They better find someone who can guard this kid,” Bane said while watching him play. “He’s still 17 years old and I would put that physicality on him to stop him. If I’m guarding him in the league, I’m locking him up for sure. And I hope he sees this too and I play against him in a couple years so I can put my money where my mouth is.”

Earlier this summer, Daughtry won a gold medal with Team USA at the U17 FIBA World Cup in Istanbul. He hasn’t been home in a month after going straight to Las Vegas for Elite Youth Basketball League Session 4 and now, Peach Jam. He led all players during the regular EYBL season, averaging 25.6 points per game. If Daughtry is fatigued from his schedule and the wear and tear on his body over the last few weeks, it’s not showing in his play.

“Obviously I’m a little tired, but just knowing that I’m here for a bigger reason, my coaches and my teammates, and I just want to win so I’m going to do whatever that takes no matter how I’m feeling,” Daughtry said.

Daughtry is ranked No. 9 in the 2027 high school class

by 247Sports.com

and has climbed the ranks since the end of his high school season. His consistency as a lead guard has gotten the attention of schools like Miami, Iowa, Florida State, Michigan, Florida, UConn and others.

He said he takes pride in what he’s able to do on the court as a smaller guard and plays with a chip on his shoulder.

“I’m my own type of player, I get downhill, I create for others and I just do whatever I can to win,” Daughtry said. “All the people that’ve been doubting me my whole life and ones that are still doubting me now, I’m just here to prove a point and prove them wrong and win.“

In one week of basketball and the biggest summer stage, Daughtry has proved many doubters wrong and has become one of the biggest names in the EYBL.