Former Volcano Vista Hawk and future University of New Mexico Lobo Jaelyn Bates was named the 2021-22 National Native American Player of the Year by Inter-Tribal Athletics Native Sports.
Bates is an enrolled member of the San Felipe Pueblo and is Fox Clan. She is also Sioux and Navajo. Bates helped lead the Volcano Vista girls basketball team to an undefeated, state championship season. Bates led all scorers with 18 points in the championship game.
The 5-foot-7 guard has signed to play basketball with UNM next season. She averaged 13.4 points per game, 2.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 3.9 steals last season for the Hawks. Bates also won the 2022 state championship in the long jump in May.
