Jaelyn Bates brings steady point-guard play and playmaking to New Mexico Highlands
Bates projects as a **facilitator-first guard** who can handle the ball, create for teammates, and give a roster reliable backcourt minutes; in her 2023-24 season at New Mexico, she averaged 3.1 points, 1.3 assists, and 10.1 minutes per game, after showing flashes of higher-impact play as a freshman with a season-high 16 points and an eight-assist game. She is most appealing as a low-drama, high-effort connector who can organize offense and compete defensively, though her scoring efficiency and free-throw shooting have been inconsistent, so she fits best with a team needing control and structure more than a primary scorer.
