TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State head basketball coach Josh Schertz announced the addition of Jayson Kent (Oak Forest, Ill./Bradley/Oak Forest HS) on Monday. Kent will join the Sycamores for the 2022-23 season as a junior with three years of eligibility remaining.
 
"We are excited to add a player and a person of Jayson's quality to our program. The fact that he has two years of playing experience in the Valley and has been exceptionally well-coached by Matt Manzke (Oak Forest HS) and Brian Wardle (Bradley University) should allow him a very smooth transition," Schertz said. "We think Jayson is a great fit for what we want to do on both ends of the floor, as he's an instinctive cutter and mover without the ball on the offensive end and has great feet and length on the defensive end."
 
Schertz added: "Most importantly Jayson represents what we want our program here at ISU to be culturally and we look forward to welcoming Jayson along with his parents Jason and Anna into our family."
 
An Oak Forest, Illinois native, Kent saw action in 51 games for the Braves, including 19 starts over his career. Last season the guard played in 28 games and started 15 while averaging 20.3 minutes and 6.9 points per game. Kent scored in double-figures in 10 games with a season and career-high 18 points coming against Missouri State (1/5). Kent also added four or more rebounds in nine outings for the Braves. During his freshman campaign, Kent played in 23 games, starting four contests. He averaged 3.6 points per game in 9.9 minutes of action. He saw an increased role during the final six games of the season, posting 6.8 points per game as his 41 points matched his total from his first 17 games.
 
Kent will join former high school teammate and Sycamore commit Robbie Avila next season. In his final season at the high school level, Kent helped lead Oak Forest High School to its first conference and regional titles since 1987. He earned all-state honors from the IBCA and Prep Hoops during his senior campaign, while receiving honorable mention to the Associated Press team. He averaged 17.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as a senior – shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from 3-point range. Kent also collected all-conference, all-area and South Suburban Hoops First Team accolades. He finished his career with the Bengals with 1,290 points, 14.7 points per game and 350 rebounds.
 
He is the son of Jason and Anna Kent. His father played college basketball at Ohio University and the University of Charleston while his mother played basketball at West Virginia. Kent's sister, Janae will begin her basketball playing career in the fall at LSU.
 
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