Grace Edwards is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dobson by AZPreps365.com

At a young age, it looked like sports were going to be a big part of Jaden Leslie’s future.

The decision to play basketball, the sport she put her heart into, came in 5th and 6th grade while Jaden was also playing softball.

“As much as we wanted J to play basketball we did not force it on her,” said Jaden’s father, Davin. “This was our first experience with club basketball and occasionally softball and it was an experience that would propel her into deciding to play basketball.”

Jaden would then experience what competition was all about.

First came obstacles in middle school then back-to-back injuries in high school. 

This is Jaden Leslie’s comeback story. 

Joining an already established club basketball team was daunting, meaning Jaden had to work extra hard to get playing time.

Knowing how important the relationship between players and coaches should be, Jaden’s parents encouraged her to question why she wasn’t getting any playing time. 

Following a conversation Jaden had with her coaches, a switch went off.

“You’re too slow,” “you’re not a good shooter,” “be patient,” are all comments Jaden was told by her coaches in 5th/6th grade. They didn’t appear to have any confidence in her and felt she wasn’t ready. 

“I felt she was in a bad spot because the coaches already had their ‘set players’ and room to get playing time was tough. As parents we helped her through the adversity and questions like “why am I not playing?” Davin said.  “We rode it out for some time and ultimately after not seeing any room for an opportunity, we removed her from the team.”

“I found out later that she took those things the coaches had told her personally in the 5th/6th grade club team and wrote it in her diary to remember. I think early on she used that for motivation for a long time.”

Not long after Jaden left her club team is when her dad began training her. This would be the beginning of a strong bond between the two.

Early on in Jaden’s playing career, she learned to set goals for herself. If she started to slack in training, her parents redirected her.

Most kids at this age think about hanging out with friends and having sleepovers. Jaden put basketball top on her priority list. She worked hard at getting stronger, faster and better.

In the process, Jaden lost some friendships but gained new ones. 

In 2017, Jaden was one of the top 8th graders coming out of junior high and was starting point guard her freshman year. Her team finished second overall in the 6A East Valley Region. 

Since entering high school, she’s been on the varsity team. 

In May of 2018 while playing in a summer tournament, she landed on another player's foot, resulting in her right knee giving out and tearing her ACL. 

“When I heard about it, I was devastated. At first we were being positive and hoping it was something minimal but sure enough it wasn’t what we wanted to hear,” said coach Henry Bribiescas. “I started counting the months thinking how long we would have to wait for her but they were cautious about it, as they should be.”

She missed her entire sophomore season and a setback in Jaden’s recovery occurred, resulting in a second surgery in January 2019 to remove a screw in her knee. 

“Jaden was a great teammate. She was at every game, every practice. She actually became my stats person and was still very much active with the team, we just couldn’t suit her up,” Bribiescas said. 

The physical and mental battles Jaden endured throughout her rehab was disheartening for those closest to her. 

The pressure and frustrations were always present and as strong as an athlete can be, the question of ‘can I do it?’ or ‘can I ever play like I used to?’ is a constant thought in the rehab process.

“While I know she felt extreme sadness because of her injuries, she made sure to always be strong around the team and I find that extremely admirable,” said teammate Rachel Early. 

Jaden’s father was the first to see the discouragement and concern for protecting her knee on a day of training. 

With Jaden always showing how strong and motivated she was, she finally needed that moment to let her guard down. 

During a practice at Dobson, Jaden dribbled the ball off her foot and broke down with tears of frustration, breaking her dad's heart.

“I let her get it all out and listened to her,” Davin said. “At the end of the day, you can’t let this injury define you as a person. This injury will remain with you long after your basketball career is done. Once you accept and process that fact, then you can build a mindset on how you want to build back up your game. I am here for you in every rep, every set.” 

The thought of quitting was brief. 

“There were a couple times where I would say ‘I don’t wanna play basketball anymore’ and wanna give up just because it was taking a toll on me but my dad, coaches, family and teammates were always there to support and motivate me,” said Jaden.

There were many small victories in rehab; regaining her range of motion and weight bearing with two crutches to walk on her own. 

Jaden set goals for herself, helping to keep her competitive mindset.

After being cleared to play, Jaden had a remarkable season her junior year, finishing with first team all around 6A East Valley Region honors. 

This was her comeback season.

“It felt refreshing to be back doing what I wanted to do and not have any problems and feel confident leading my team in any way that I could,” said Jaden.

At a time when Jaden seemed to be back in her prime, what happened next was devastating. 

In June of 2020 she tore her ACL again, this time on the left side. 

“I knew right when I did it,” Jaden said. “I didn’t wanna tell myself it’s torn but deep down I knew. I didn’t wanna go through that again.”

After the MRI confirmed the tear, Jaden felt an array of emotions.

“The main question I would ask myself all the time is ‘why me?’ I work hard so why do I have to keep going through these adversities,” Jaden said. 

Jaden explained how her dad really helped her get in the mindset of ‘you’ve been through this before, so you can get through it again.’ 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only essential surgeries were done. Jaden and her family were worried, but she was scheduled a few days later. 

“I remember when she told me she tore her ACL for the second time and just the immediate tears that streamed down my face. She’s one of my best friends and has battled through so much already, there is nothing that can stop her now,” said Early.

Gyms and rehab facilities were shut down most of the time but Jaden knew what had to be done to come back even stronger. 

For the most part, Jaden’s recovery was done at home where she already had the equipment from her first injury. Some of that equipment was donated from her basketball community. 

Rehabbing during a pandemic wasn’t easy but she did it. 

Finally cleared to play in January 2021, Jaden had her senior season. 

“Personally it’s been a challenge because it takes me longer to warm up but my teammates have really been there for me and pushed me. It’s helped me  become more motivated to play hard,” Jaden said. “I think that’s what makes us so successful as a team is that we’re able to come together at the right time.”

Jaden’s doctor only allowed her to play four minutes each quarter and finally lifted the restriction for the first game in the state playoffs, ending her senior season on a high note.

“There were so many times where I wanted to give up playing and give up working out but what makes working hard and getting back to where you were so much more special is it strengthens you mentally and that helps me in a lot of different situations where there’s adversities up ahead,” said Jaden. 

Jaden had offers from schools that bailed after her first injury.

That was her motivation to continue to work hard and persevere and hopefully initiate some new offers but after the second ACL tear, everyone bailed again, except Pima Community College. 

PIMA CC head coach Todd Holthaus made it clear to Jaden and her family that her injuries didn't change anything.

Pima supported her from the start and felt she would get back to the player she was before. At the end of the day, they were recruiting the type of person she is.

Jaden’s father has been her biggest supporter and has been there every step of the way.

“I believe her best basketball is yet to come and I’m confident she’ll be able to showcase that at PIMA CC and the program they have there,” Davin said.

“I would always call her ‘the hidden gem.’”