THE BEST SHOOTER IN THE COUNTRY

Jasiah Cannady, Washington DC, Class of 2026

Combo Guard, Black Ops DC (Carmelo Anthony)

Steph Curry has reformed the meaning of being a shooter, and young athletes have been taken notice. Those skills aren't really developed from a marksman standpoint until later on in the playing career, but Jasiah Cannady has something else to say about that.

Guard him as soon as he crosses half court. The best shooter in the country, hands down, and top 5 in his class, Jasiah is a sniper from anywhere on the court. His ball handling gives him even more of an advantage, making it very hard to guard him.

Creative, instinctive, leader and bonafide bucket from all angles, let's get to know the D.C. sniper. 

1.When did you first start playing basketball? When I was 5 years old. 2.Who has been the biggest influence on you as a student athlete and why? My Mom and Dad always pushing me to be great on and off the court, and the lessons of life to treat all people with respect  3.If you could work out and be mentored by one player in the NBA, who would it be and why? Stephen Curry. I think my game is similar to his in the way he shoots and can score off the dribble.

4.Not only are you one of the best guards in the country, you are the best shooter in your class. Has shooting always been your speciality? My Dad and I really work hard on shooting the ball everyday, Monday-Friday. 600 made shots per day before I can leave the gym. 400 of those shots consist of 3 pointers. 5.We have seen you play at high levels plenty of times, knocking down threes and making your teammates better. Where does your work ethic come from? My work ethic comes from my Dad, family and trainers constantly telling me I have to keep working. Every time I step on the court, I have a bullseye on my chest. I also really want to make it to the NBA and be a consistent All-Star and not just make it. I want to be one of the greatest of all time. 6.We at Top Elite feature players and teams on the rise and those who have been exceptional for a while. What are some things you feel are your strengths as a player? My IQ, shooting and leadership on the floor playing in high level games since I was 7 years old makes it easy for me to play at the same level game in and game out. Every game is a big game is my mindset and a chance to get better. 7.If you had to choose one player or team as your toughest competition, who would it be? The 6 toughest players I've played against are Darius Acuff (Bates Fundmentals REACH DREAM) , Carlsheon Young (Below the Rim), Q Williams (CP3), Jamal Brown (Boo Williams), Jermel Thomas (NY Gauchos) and Markel Alston (NY Gauchos). There are many more tough players I've played against but these kids make you bring everything you have the whole game. Respect to all the kids I've competed against and I'm sure I left someone of this short list. 8.We know basketball is a mental game. How do you bounce back from games where you feel you haven't performed your best? We play over 75 games during AAU season and its very hard to play well every game. Even the pros can't have great games every night, but my goal is to remain consistent as much as possible. Watching film of my games before and after each game prepares me for decisions I make on the court to minimize mistakes on the floor. Watching the film, like my Dad always says, it doesn't lie, and it really doesn't. My Dad and my trainers Jamal Shivas, Casey Hayes and Keith Williams also tell me you never know who's watching you so you have to give 110% each time out every game. 9.Now that we have this country wide quarantine, what are some things you do to stay in shape and ready? My Dad has me doing 300 push ups and 300 sit ups  per day. I do 1 hour of ball handling drills and 1 hour of lifting weights and 10 -100 yard sprints. It's been hard not being on the court daily but I'm working on some of my weaknesses, which one major one was my strength playing up against the class of 2024 and 2025. These are bigger, stronger and faster kids. I feel really strong right now and my body is showing it. 10.If you can do and be anything else besides a basketball player when you grow up, what would it be and why? I have to make a big decision one day and hopefully it will be the NFL. I want to play sports at the highest level and if I can't play it, I want to be around it and hopefully become a College, or Pro Head Coach. I love Football and Basketball and those are my passions.