Cayden Charles

Cayden Charles is a junior Business Management major from Kennesaw, Georgia and plays Guard for the Men’s Basketball team on the Dahlonega Campus.

Cayden knew UNG was the right fit for him when he first toured the Dahlonega Campus and met the other players on the basketball team. He loved the bond that the players had, and to him, it felt like a family more than a team. Today, that’s still his favorite part of being on the men’s basketball team. He’s formed a lifelong bond with the other players, and they all support each other like family, both on and off the court.

For Cayden, his time at UNG and on the basketball team has taught him to try new things. He’s growing every day, not just as a person, but also as a leader. From becoming more vocal in his leadership and embracing his role on the team as a mentor to younger players to trying new foods and even learning how to cook, nothing is off-limits for Cayden. He wants to experience it all.

I've grown into a role where I can be a lot more vocal, but also just lead by example.

Cayden’s proudest memory of being a Nighthawk is being selected as the Most Outstanding Player in the 2024 NCAA Southeast Regional Tournament. For someone who’s been playing basketball since he was five, it was a significant honor to be recognized for his performance in the three games of the tournament, but it’s also a testament to all the hard work that he’s put in over the years.

Cayden’s advice to future Nighthawks is to fully immerse yourself and enjoy your college experience. It can be challenging at times, but find a group to support you and make sure you enjoy all the little moments that make up your time here.