Wings Up Player Profiles: Jaylen Fornes

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — This season, Jaylen Fornes joined a loaded roster filled with talent, but going into the year he knew what he needed to do to help the team.

“I’ve got a big role to step into and I just want to get back to that point,” Fornes said.

The Freshman Guard from Pamlico County understands what sort of team he’s stepped into, a team that now has back to back CAA titles with another trip to the NCAA Tournament ahead.

For Fornes, he just wants to contribute.

“I just want to bring athleticism, young legs and a lot of energy,” Fornes said. “Being a point guard I want to be a bigger guard on the court. Handling it and facilitating it.”

It wasn’t just the past success of the Seahawks that brought Fornes to the Port City.

A large reason he decided to join the teal and gold was Coach Keatts.

“Coach Keatts and me and his relationship as a head coach,” Fornes said. “I had the best relationship with him above any other college that was recruiting me.”

As he worked through early learning curves, his relationship with his teammates is also growing strong.

“We’re all on the same page,” Fornes said. “There’s a lot of chemistry and I like it a lot.”

Fornes is not just an athlete on the court, the self-proclaimed country boy attributes his time playing football for what kind of basketball player he is today.

“It helps me with the grit and grind,” Fornes said. “I’ve got a lot of heart to me so that’s where it comes from.”

With the all-stars everywhere you look, Fornes knows when his number is called he has to make his name known.

UNCW takes on UVA this Thursday at 12:40 p.m. The game will be broadcast on truTV.