Marist men’s basketball junior guard Jadin Collins-Roberts has started all of Marist’s games in his first three seasons, but his 64th career game is a personal one to remember. Nov. 12, 2025, Collins-Roberts’ 29th career home game, marked the first time he trotted out to a home McCann Arena crowd as the team’s captain.
17 days before the Red Foxes kicked off the 2025-2026 season in Cincinnati, head coach John Dunne named the first-ever captain in his eight-year tenure with Marist: Collins-Roberts.
“He’s special. He’s a special kid. He’s a special person. I think from day one, going into his freshman year in summer school, I knew I could coach him hard. I knew he was hungry and thirsty to learn, and he’s been the ultimate coachable kid with high character. He’s the perfect guy that you want representing your program as a leader,” said Dunne.
According to a Marist Athletics press release, Dunne called Collins-Roberts, senior forward Jaden Daughtry and senior guard Elijah Lewis into his office on the morning of Oct. 17. He informed Collins-Roberts of the decision, named both Daughtry and Lewis to the program’s leadership group and informed the rest of the squad about his selections after practice that day.
“It was a fun moment, an honor for sure. It means a lot,” said Collins-Roberts. “Coach Dunne hasn’t named anyone that, so I know what that means for him to say that. I’m going to take that and just keep getting better every day.”
The Edison, N.J. native’s first home game leading Marist came against Poughkeepsie-foe Vassar College in front of over 1,500 fans in a 93-61 victory. The captain tallied four points, three rebounds and three assists. Despite the promotion, business remained the same with multiple team leaders.
“Every year I’ve been here, I’ve been the leader of the team alongside somebody. Freshman year: Javon Cooley. Next year: Jackson Price and [Jaden Daughtry]. This year, also add Elijah Lewis to that. It hasn’t just been one name. The leaders happen naturally,” said Collins-Roberts.
Before starting his first home game as captain, the Preseason All-MAAC Third Team member received more recognition, this time for what he does off the court. The MAAC named Collins-Roberts the conference’s male Student-Athlete of the Week after putting up 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals on 66.7% shooting through his first two games.
Despite the countless accolades, including the captain nod, he will continue to be himself and play his game.
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to be out here acting like a fool, like I’m that guy or anything. I’m going about it every day the same way, and I’m trying to get better every day, whether that’s on the court or off the court,” said Collins-Roberts.
The captain leads naturally, including helping to guide the Red Foxes to 18 and 20-win campaigns and top-three finishes in the conference to start his career. Dunne credits Collins-Roberts as a “big, big, big part of it.”
“He’s the ultimate leader. He just is,” said Dunne. “He gives up his body for the cause, and he’s super unselfish. He does everything the coach asks him to do, and he’s never asking what’s in it for him. That’s exactly what you want as a leader. He just wants to win.”
Off the court, the 6-foot-1 guard is on pace to earn his Bachelor’s degree in three years after being named to the MAAC All-Academic Team last year and earning a spot on the conference’s Academic Honor Roll in both of his collegiate seasons.
Last year, he represented the conference for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group (SAEG), a subgroup of the men’s basketball oversight committee. He also participates in the university’s fashion program, including the Silver Needle Runway show and launching his own clothing brand, So Be It.
“He leads it all,” said Dunne. “He gets involved on campus. He checks every box, so he was the perfect guy [for] me.”
Edited by Ben Leeds
Photo by Quinn DiFiore
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