Standout Jackson State men’s basketball guard Daeshun Ruffin is the 2025-26 SWAC Player of the Year.
The conference announced its postseason honors Friday, with the Jackson native headlining the awards. Ruffin, who began his collegiate career at Ole Miss before transferring to play for the Mo Williams-led Tigers, averaged 23.3 points and 5.3 assists in the regular season. He is one of only three players to average 20-plus points and five-plus assists in the country.
Ruffin was joined by Mississippi Valley State’s Michael James in earning postseason recognition from the SWAC. James, a junior from Byhalia, was tabbed the conference’s Newcomer of the Year, trailing only Ruffin in points per game at 21.4. James is in his first season in Itta Bena after transferring from Meridian Community College.
Both Ruffin and James were first-team All-SWAC selections, along with their individual awards.
Jackson State (11-20, 10-8 SWAC) and Mississippi Valley State (3-29, 2-16 SWAC), along with Alcorn State (8-22, 7-11 SWAC), will compete in the conference tournament, which begins Monday.
The No. 11 seed Braves will start things off versus No. 10 seed Alabama State on Monday at 1 p.m. CT. The No. 12 seed Delta Devils will take on No. 9 seed Grambling that same day at 8:30 p.m. The No. 7 seed Tigers will face the winner between Mississippi Valley State and Grambling on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Each game will air on ESPN+.
