From Elementary Dreams to Basketball Reality: The Jaden Newman Story

Growing up in Orlando, Florida, Newman embraced the guidance of her basketball-driven parents, Jamie and Vivian. Alongside her brother Julian Newman, who would later gain viral fame through his basketball highlight videos, Jaden developed an intensive basketball regimen that would shape her future.

The siblings practiced relentlessly, taking hundreds of shots before and after school while incorporating strength training and displaying tremendous discipline throughout Jaden’s elementary years. By fifth grade, she had earned a spot as a varsity starter, immediately drawing national attention.

That spotlight soon led to memorable moments. During an Under Armour-sponsored event, Jaden faced off against three-point legend Stephen Curry himself. While some might argue Curry was taking it easy on the five-foot prodigy, Jaden nonetheless claimed victory, sinking 16 of 25 shots to edge out the NBA superstar’s 15.

The victory wasn’t her only attention-grabbing achievement. At just nine years old, she reportedly became the youngest girl ever to receive a Division I scholarship offer—from the University of Miami—after posting jaw-dropping scoring numbers against older competition.

Throughout her tenure at Downey Christian, Jaden dominated middle and high school competition, averaging nearly 28 points, seven assists, and five steals per game while maintaining varsity-level impact by eighth grade. Her single-game performance of 70 points, which included 17 three-pointers, tied national prep school records.

Jaden’s influence extended beyond the court through media appearances on The Queen Latifah Show, her own series All About Jaden, and features in Hello Newmans on Overtime. These platforms reinforced her brand as both an elite athlete and a social media influencer.

Standing at 5’4″, she currently continues her basketball journey at Cal State Los Angeles. Her freshman season presented significant challenges, as she averaged just 0.8 points and 0.2 rebounds per game. With WNBA players averaging over six feet tall, the path to professional basketball remains demanding.

Regardless of where her playing career leads, Jaden will undoubtedly find success in basketball. The Newman family regularly conducts clinics and youth programs in Orlando, emphasizing hard work, confidence, and community service—creating a local impact that extends far beyond their household name.

Jaden’s basketball IQ and unwavering confidence remain undeniable assets. Whether her future lies on the court as a player or on the sideline as a coach, Jaden Newman appears destined for basketball greatness in whatever form it takes.