OREM — Utah Valley head men's basketball coach Todd Phillips has announced that former Wolverine standout Jaden McClanahan is returning to the program as a graduate assistant ahead of the 2025–26 season.

"Pumped to have Jaden join our staff," said Phillips. "Jaden played four years at UVU and was instrumental in building the culture of success here at Utah Valley. He will be a tremendous young college coach. He brings the juice every day and will help develop the new crop of players here at Utah Valley."

McClanahan returns to Orem after a four-year playing career with the Wolverines, where he appeared in over 110 games and helped lead the team to some of the most successful seasons in program history. As a senior in 2023–24, he played in 32 games and made 24 starts, averaging 6.7 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game. He scored in double figures 10 times, including a season-high 19 points in a 78-72 win over Seattle U. He also posted an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double at Sam Houston and dished out a season-best 11 assists against Stephen F. Austin.

McClanahan helped guide Utah Valley to a 16-16 overall record and an 11-9 mark in WAC play during his senior season. The team won seven of its final nine games, including a Texas road sweep of Tarleton State and Abilene Christian, and posted a 4-2 record against in-state opponents.

Despite battling injury during the 2022–23 campaign, McClanahan appeared in 20 games and played a key role in Utah Valley's record-setting 28-win season. The Wolverines captured the WAC regular-season title and made a historic run to the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), with wins at New Mexico and Colorado and a home victory over Cincinnati.

He was also a part of UVU's 2020–21 WAC regular-season championship team and contributed to two WAC titles and multiple postseason appearances during his four seasons in green and white.

Prior to joining Utah Valley, McClanahan played one season at Independence Community College in Kansas, where he earned Second Team All-KJCCC honors after averaging 9.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game.

A native of Richmond, California, McClanahan prepped at Salesian High School and earned league MVP and all-tournament team honors. He earned his undergraduate degree in business from UVU and is now pursuing a master's degree while beginning his coaching career.