Lady Cougar Jayden Kitts commits to King University

Jayden Kitts signs her letter of commitment to play for King University at Bristol

By Clayton Carroll

BRISTOL, TN (WLAF) – Jayden Kitts, the Lady Cougar senior basketball guard, committed to play basketball at King University in Bristol, Tennessee. 

TOP PHOTO: King University Assistant Coach Reagan McCray, King signee Jayden Kitts and King Head Coach Josh Thompson.

“I committed to King University because, from the beginning, Coach Thompson and Coach McCray made me feel welcomed and like I was already part of the family,” said Jayden Kitts. “Being close to home was also really important to me and my family because they’ll be able to come support me and watch me play throughout my college career,” Kitts added.

King, a Division II program, is coached by Josh Thompson, the winningest coach in school history. “Coach Thompson came in and sat in our living room…I’ve never had a coach do that in my 15 years of coaching experience,” said Lady Cougar Head Coach and Jayden Kitts’s father, Jason Kitts. “He (Coach Thompson) told her, ‘You are my ticket. I’ve not come to a player’s house since 2009…you are my key to winning,” Coach Kitts continued. 

Jayden’s commitment means a little bit more than putting pen to paper to play basketball elsewhere. “This one hits a little harder because obviously it’s my daughter…but I have seen what she’s gone through,” said Coach Kitts. Jayden has been sidelined twice due to injuries in her middle school and high school career, most recently being out all of last season with a torn ACL. “I’ve been with her through the good and the bad,” Kitts added.

Kitts’ commitment is also special because it marks quite the achievement by the 2024-2025 group. The Lady Cougars’ starting five that season all received offers to go play basketball at the next level. Saylor Hutcheson and now Jayden Kitts took those offers. “We are working for these kids in Campbell County,” Coach declared. “To have all five starters have college offers is a big deal…it’s because we do things the right way and we make these kids play together, and schools notice that. That’s what makes us special here at Campbell County. We have some more kids on this year’s team that will also very likely play college ball.” Kitts continued. 

Before Jayden can look forward to being a King Tornado, she will be leading the backcourt for the Lady Cougars’ 2026-2027 campaign, which begins in November.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 8-3-2026 6AM – PHOTOS COURTESY OF JASON KITTS AND BRADY HATMAKER (INSTAGRAM: bhat.vizualz)