Daeshun Ruffin Named SWAC Player of the Year

Jackson State senior guard Daeshun Ruffin was named the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year on Friday, the conference announced. Ruffin also earned First Team All-SWAC honors.

During the regular season, Ruffin averaged 23.3 points and 5.3 assists per game, ranking among the top in the nation in several categories. He is one of only three players nationwide to average at least 20 points and five assists.

Ruffin scored in double figures in 19 of 20 games, with his only game not reaching double digits coming in the finale when he left early against Mississippi Valley State. He recorded eight 30-plus point games, including four in conference play.

The senior also posted 16 games with five or more assists, including three with 10 or more. His career-high 16 assists came against Texas Southern, where he also scored 22 points. Ruffin recorded double doubles in all three of those games, highlighted by a 39-point effort against Alabama A&M.

He ranked nationally in numerous categories at the season’s end, including fourth in points per game, fifth in free throws made, eighth in free throw attempts, and 10th in field goal attempts. Ruffin led the SWAC in free throw attempts, free throws made, and points per game and was in the top three in several other categories.

Ruffin is considered one of the top players in the country and is the fourth-leading scorer nationally. Jackson State begins its conference tournament Tuesday in Atlanta against the winner of Grambling State and Mississippi Valley State.

Follow Jackson State athletics for more updates at @GoJSUTigers on social media or visit the team’s official website at GoJSUTigers.com.

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