As the Nimitz Cougars take to the court for another highly-anticipated season, all eyes are on senior point guard Jaden Bergeron.
After a standout junior year that saw him obtain second-team, all-district recognition, for contributing over 200 points, 54 assists, and a team-leading 42 steals, Bergeron is ready to usher his team to even greater heights in his final season.
The 2024 campaign was historic for the Cougars, who finished with a 25-13 record and made it to the Regional Semifinals for the first time in over two decades.
It was a genuine breakthrough season, and Bergeron – alongside the now graduated Eric Woods and Dominic Samuel – was at the heart of the team’s success.
But as he enters his senior year, his focus is less on individual accolades and more on the bigger picture.
“I’m just looking forward to having fun with the guys,” said Bergeron. “Also, I hope to develop a good relationship with Coach (Kenneth) Coleman, so we can win a lot of games – the same thing we did last year.”
Like several other aspiring athletes, Bergeron’s basketball journey began when he was just a kid, picking up a ball at six or seven years old.
The love for the game came quickly.
“I couldn’t stop playing. I was always outside,” he remembers. “Eventually, my dad found me a team to play for, and the rest is history.”
For Bergeron, basketball is more than just a game. It’s a release.
“This game helps me to be free. It gets my mind off everything and lets me just be in the moment. You can’t really replace that.”
As a senior, Bergeron’s pre-game routine has become a ritual that helps him get in the zone.
“I usually get the Box Combo from Raising Cane’s before a game,” he said. “And it’s hard to narrow it down to just one rapper, but I mostly listen to NBA YoungBoy.”
Reflecting on his four years at Nimitz, Bergeron speaks with pride about what it’s meant to wear the Cougars jersey. His passion for the game and his commitment to his teammates are evident in his words.
“It’s been great to have worn this Nimitz jersey over the past four years,” he said. “I’m looking to put on a show in this final one, so people will remember that this was a team who did more than what was expected. Hopefully, the next generation will come behind us and do the same.”
As Bergeron heads into the final stretch of his high school career, he’s focused on leaving a legacy—not just as a talented player, but as a leader who helped elevate the entire Nimitz program.
With his determination and experience, the Cougars will undoubtedly look to him for guidance as they chase another deep playoff run.