By J-TRAIN: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jaelin Llewellyn dribbles upcourt in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, star guard Llewellyn enjoyed a special Senior Night, scoring 29 points to help Princeton defeat Harvard 74-67 in his final regular season game at Jadwin Gym. Two days later, Llewellyn scored 16 points to help the Tigers edge Harvard 74-73 as they improved to 21-5 overall and 11-2, clinching a share of the regular season league title. Princeton plays at Penn on March 5 in its regular season finale, looking to earn an outright league title. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was Jaelin Llewellyn’s final home game for the Princeton University men’s basketball team and he was determined to make it an evening to remember.

“It was the last chance to play on this court and this court means lot to me,” said senior guard Llewellyn, a 6’2, 185-pound native of Mississauga, Ontario, reflecting on the ceremony to honor the program’s Class of 2022 at Jadwin Gym before Princeton hosted Harvard last Friday evening.

“I knew we were going to get a big crowd and a good turnout. It was just awesome to be on this court. I just wanted to do the best I could. I finally had an opportunity to have family here. It was a big night, just to have fun.”

Harvard had more fun in the first half of the contest, taking a 38-36 lead into intermission.

Despite the deficit, Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson liked where the Tigers stood.

“They had maybe three turnovers; they had no fouls committed, I haven’t seen that much,” said Henderson. “I came in halftime and said we are all right. Let’s go, we have been down 14 here all season. These games are good for us, we are learning how to win.”

In the second half, Llewellyn carried the Tigers to a 74-67 win, pouring in 20 points in the second half to end the evening with 29.

“When we didn’t have a shot to make, Jaelin made them tonight,” said Henderson of Llewellyn, who chipped in six rebounds and three assists in the victory. “He was just terrific. He put us on his back and he carried us throughout the course of the game. What a performance on Senior Night.”

Llewellyn got into a rhythm down the stretch. “I just felt like I was in my groove,” said Llewellyn, who went on to score 16 points on Sunday to help the Tigers edge Harvard 74-73 as they improved to 21-5 overall and 11-2, clinching a share of the regular season league title.  “I wanted to just be as aggressive as I could and do what I could to help us win.”

Henderson pointed to a more aggressive approach on defense as key to the win on Friday.

“I thought we did a better job being in gaps off the ball screens,” said Henderson. “The guys have responded all season to what we have asked them to do. I just think we have some veteran guys. Our offense helped our defense too. I thought we got more comfortable with what we were doing. They popped into a zone and we buried a three, that helps.”

The squad’s group of seniors have helped Princeton enjoy a banner season which will see them playing at Penn on March 5 in the regular season finale looking to clinch an outright league title.

“I have been coaching for a really long time and sometimes I say the group is a little quiet but what I really mean is that it is a very thoughtful group of seniors,” said Henderson, whose Class of ’22 includes Charlie Bagin, Elijah Barnes, Max Johns, Ethan Wright, and Drew Friberg in addition to Llewellyn.

“We have taken on the persona of the seniors. We have had so much time alone. The team is really close. They hang out off campus and on the court so much, The seniors are thoughtful, caring, and curious about others so the young guys feel supported. That is a really fun group that way. Usually in a team, there are some factions. It is just an unusual thing and it starts from the top.”

In Henderson’s view, Llewellyn exemplifies that thoughtful approach.

“I think Jaelin’s best quality, and he has got many, is his vulnerability and his willingness to listen and then also be very up front about where he is as a person and player,” said Henderson. “Everybody on the team respects him so much as a player. The depth of who he is as a person goes far deeper than that. It is a pleasure to coach him. I was really proud of him tonight. We have been working together for a couple of weeks, this has been coming. Just because he doesn’t score doesn’t mean he is not making us win. His defensive assignments are always tough. He is always locked in on what everybody else needs to do.”

It has been a pleasure for Llewellyn to go through his college hoops journey with his classmates.

“It is an insane bond, we spend every moment together,” said Llewellyn, who is averaging 15.0 points and 4.2 rebounds a game this season and has scored 986 points in his career.

“So to have that moment on the court as well and have everybody else see us on the floor was amazing.”

Developing those bonds has helped Llewellyn mature into a team leader for the Tigers.

“I think I have grown in the way that I have learned how to handle mistakes, handle criticism, different perspectives, and how I respond to those things,” said Llewellyn. “I have grown in learning how to be the best teammate I can and listening to other people’s needs and opinions and just trying to do whatever I can.”