I like Jaylen’s intellectual curiosity. He wants to learn. He also has broad, non-stereotypical interests, and cares about being socially conscious. All are good things.
But, I don’t see him as an “intellectual”. Similarly, I don’t see him as the “smartest player in the NBA”. He had a 2.9 GPA in high school. His language skills sometimes show poor grammar and syntax. He’s above average intelligence compared to the average person, but nothing particularly stands out as brilliant.
I think there’s a tendency to exaggerate. He becomes “captain of the chess club” (true, in middle school). He “speaks five languages” (not true. He speaks English, learned Spanish, and hopes to learn three others, including Arabic). He’s the smartest, most intellectual player in the NBA. (Malcolm Brogdon?)
To me, Jaylen is more like a guy on a journey to expand his horizons. That’s awesome, but he’s not a finished product.