Miami Country Day’s Belton is 3A-1A Dade Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year
Jalynn Belton isn’t even a senior and has more experience and state championship rings than typical players her age.
Having played for Miami Country Day since the seventh grade, Belton has been a part of all four state championships the Spartans have won consecutively as of this past season.
Besides honing her craft even more, Belton stepped into a prominent leadership role and it was a major reason Country Day secured its 11th state title in the past 14 seasons.
“Our team this year was very young so we knew it would be a challenge,” Belton said. “I stepped into a leadership role in my fifth year and it was a great feeling. Winning it all again just felt so surreal.”
Belton is the Miami Herald’s Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year for Miami-Dade County for Classes 3A-1A.
She averaged 13 points, four rebounds and four assists per game while leading the Spartans to the Class 2A state crown.
A 5-10 small forward, Belton delivered one of her best performances in the state semifinals with 27 points to help the Spartans survive a sluggish start and advance.
Miami Country Day continued its historic run and returned to a place among the top girls’ basketball teams in the nation.
Miami Country Day also secured a top 15 national ranking, and its state title run is one championship away from equaling the most in state history.
Belton is ranked No. 12 among small forwards for the class of 2027, and 50th among overall prospects nationally by 247Sports. Belton is a four-star prospect, who has yet to commit, but has received offers from multiple Division-I schools.
Belton credits her experience playing for one of the country’s elite programs for preparing her for the next level.
“I feel like Country Day has prepared me a lot for college basketball,” Belton said. “I usually play up, but I think I’ll definitely be ready.”
Next season, she hopes to finish her career at Miami Country Day on a high note with a fifth state title and perhaps more accolades on the national level.
Belton plans to go on official visits later this year as she tries to pick the ideal college.
“Distance isn’t really a big deal for me. I’m just looking for somewhere where I can play free to who I am and not boxed into one specific role,” said Belton, who plans to major in sports psychology. “I’m a versatile player and I can play multiple spots.”
