Jayden Westerlund travelled a long way to get to Winnipeg, and he’s not intending to leave now.
Westerlund, a 6-foot-6 swingman from Vincent Massey Collegiate and Central Canada Prep, has committed to Mike Raimbault’s Winnipeg Wesmen men’s basketball team as the first member of the 2025 recruiting class.
He will enrol in Business and have five years of eligibility.
Westerlund was born and lived in Stockholm, Sweden for the first seven years of his life before his family uprooted and found Winnipeg as a home. The son of a former pro basketball player, Westerlund knew from a young age he wanted to take basketball as far as he could, and when it came time to decide, he knew there was no reason to leave Winnipeg.
“I was talking to multiple schools across the country but, realistically, the Wesmen are a top-tier (program), it wouldn’t make sense to move to another province when I already have a school this good close to home,” Westerlund said.
Further to that, Westerlund said he was quickly aware of Raimbault’s pedigree as a coach and developer.
“I’ve heard nothing but great things about him,” he said. “I’ve asked around and everyone said he’s the guy that’s going to really make you flourish and he knows how to get every drop of talent out of his guys.”
Westerlund was exposed to the game at a young age, attending his father Daniel’s pro games in Sweden as well as those of his uncle Johan, who was also a pro hooper in the homeland.
“I saw their games, I grew up around it,” Westerlund said. “They’re getting paid to do the thing they love, (as a kid) I thought maybe I could do that one day. I wanted to see how far I could take it. I was always asking questions and they both helped train me. Really, they just influenced me and changed the way that I play and inspired me to take basketball as far as I can.”
Central Canada coach Nick Lother, a former Wesmen player and assistant, said Westerlund projects well at the next level.
“Jayden is a versatile player who is able to contribute at a high level both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball,” he said. “His combination of length, ability to shoot from range and finish above the rim in the half court is a rare skill set and will transfer very well to the U Sports level. Jayden also loves the game and will flourish under the guidance of Mike Raimbault and the support of one the best U Sports programs in the country.”
As a Grade 11, Westerlund helped Vincent Massey to a AAAA provincial title last season, and in 2024-25 the Trojans will once again be considered among the contenders to win the province.
“Jayden is a talented kid who absolutely loves basketball,” Massey head coach Cameron Fay said. “His size, skill and athletic ability allow him to be effective inside and out. His finishing around the rim and shooting will allow him to play multiple positions with lots of potential for more development. Signing with Coach Raimbault will be great for Jayden and their program.”
Raimbault, meanwhile, has secured another local recruit with size and versatility, a combination he’s always happy to add.
“We are excited to welcome Jayden to our program,” he said. “He is a dynamic athlete with a great combination of size, skill, and athleticism. He has the potential to play multiple positions and impact the game from a variety of places on the floor. We are looking forward to working with him.”
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2024 Manitoba Provincial Team Player Profile
Position
Forward
Name
Jayden Westerlund
Age
17
Hometown
Winnipeg
Years in Basketball
11 years
School Attending This Fall
Vincent Massey
Basketball Club Name
Evolve
Favourite Player & Team
Nikola Jokić / Dallas Mavericks
Summer Goals
Keep Developing And Expanding My Game.
Basketball Aspirations
To Play High Level University/college Basketball.
Fondest Memory in Basketball
Winning The Provincial And City Champs With My Varsity Team.
Biggest Basketball Influence
My dad and my uncle.
After High School
Play university/college ball.
When Basketball Career is Over
Stay involved in the sport in some capacity.