A Conversation with Jaden Bediako
Big plays, season memories and what’s next for the senior center
Making his way to his 8 a.m. research class, Jaden Bediako is the picture of alert and easygoing, despite having just come from one of multiple basketball practices for the day. But standing at a whopping six-foot-ten, the senior center is hard to miss amongst the swarms of Broncos on campus.
In his time with the men’s basketball program, Bediako has seen it all: injuries, a pandemic, an NBA star in the making and the in-between moments that make or break powerhouse teams. Bronco basketball has grown in popularity in recent years, a development athletes like Bediako can definitely attest to.
“Basketball was just getting there at Santa Clara a few years before I came,” he said, “just getting the recruits and players into my class. Credit to the department for getting the AEC for us, our facilities charter most of our wins.”
Though he has always been a crucial part of the lineup, Bediako’s senior season continues to prove fruitful for the Toronto native. Putting up an average of 52% from field goal range and at least 6 rebounds a game, the importance of his reliability cannot be overstated when every possession counts.
“It's going better than they expected for us,” said Bediako. “You know, we got some losses, we don't like those losses. We'd like to turn those around, but I guess that's part of the season, the roller coaster.”
Combining veteran experience and a skilled recruitment class, the ‘22-’23 season has been a test in communication and perseverance for the Broncos. Bediako attributes much of this season’s growth to his teammates, but also to staff like Director of Athletics Renee Baumgartner.
“Renee, who brought in a lot of what Coach Sendeck needs, has been a superstar for us,” Bediako said. “They have expectations: the program is really good, but we can be better, like maybe making it into the Final Four this season.”
A dream for every team, the WCC Final Four tournament is the end goal for this rebuilding Bronco team and further proof that despite the loss of Jalen Williams to Oklahoma City, this program can bounce back. The work from the athletes and coaches, not to mention professors, expands the reach of athletics beyond the court and into every aspect of campus life.
Barely having a second to breathe weighs heavily on a college student trying to balance D1 sports, school and a social life. Although he doesn’t have much time to spend on things outside of basketball, Bediako finds pockets in his day where he can enjoy the process and the college experience.
“I actually like to cook,” he said. “Right now I'm on rice, broccoli and drumsticks or chicken breasts.”
Moments of enjoyment are tough to balance with the harsh reality of a D1 athlete: a regimented daily schedule packed with workouts, film sessions and rehabilitation. The commitment is all worth it, as Bediako seeks stardom on the most prestigious stage for a ball player.
“Obviously, I want to be professional, international, NBA and go overseas,” Bediako said. I'm finding it hard because sometimes I don’t call my mom or have time to talk to friends 'cause that's like, 30 minutes gone, you know?”
Bediako works tirelessly at his craft, choosing to not waste a second until he is playing with or against players like Jalen Williams.
“I'm still focusing on the fact that we got the second half of the season to go. Conference tournament. Hopefully we have enough for a large bid.”
The Broncos have several important matchups before Bediako and his teammates travel to Las Vegas in early March to compete at the WCC Conference Championships.