By Make5Media Staff | October 23, 2026
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Jayon Connor won’t have to travel far for the next chapter of his basketball career. The 6’7″ forward from Forsyth Country Day committed to Wake Forest on Friday morning, choosing the Demon Deacons over NC State, Virginia Tech and Charlotte. The four-star senior gives head coach Steve Forbes another top-100 prospect in his 2027 recruiting class while keeping a talented local player close to home.
Connor averaged 20 points and 9.4 rebounds as a junior, and his rebounding remained a strength against national competition. He averaged 8.5 boards on the Nike EYBL circuit, showing that his production could hold up beyond the high school schedule. For Wake Forest, that work on the glass is a big part of the attraction. Connor plays with energy, competes through contact and stays involved in possessions. He can help his team by getting an offensive rebound, finishing around the basket or making an opponent work harder for a shot.
Those contributions should give him a foundation as he adjusts to college basketball. At 6’7″, Connor will give up height against some ACC front-courts, making positioning and consistent effort especially important. His willingness to do the physical work is one reason his game has drawn attention.
There is still room for him to grow offensively. Developing a more reliable perimeter shot would give defenders another concern and create more options for how Wake Forest uses him. His rebounding and activity are established strengths; expanding his scoring range is a clear next step.
Connor joins four-star guard Quincy Douby Jr. in Wake Forest’s 2027 class. Douby, a 6’3″ prospect from Riviera Prep in Miami, who committed in August. Together, they give Forbes two promising pieces to build around as recruiting continues.
Keeping Connor nearby also makes this a meaningful win for the Deacons. He had opportunities to leave the area and narrowed his choices to four programs, including two other ACC schools. Wake Forest ultimately gave him a chance to pursue that level of basketball without leaving the community where he developed.