Freshman Focus: DeJon Jarreau (UMass)

Player Profile

Massachusetts has one of the better recruiting classes that we’ve seen in the A-10 in awhile, and DeJon Jarreau is the indisputable headliner. The 6-5, 180 lb. point guard can flat out ball, and he could serve as an effective replacement almost immediately for last year’s leading scorer Trey Davis. Jarreau is from New Orleans, Louisiana where he played for Mcdonough 35 High School. He is a consensus 4 star recruit and ranks 61st overall in ESPN’s Top 100 for the class of 2016. Verbal Commits has him ranked as high as 50th overall.

All the hype surrounding Jarreau is warranted. He has one of the quickest first steps I’ve seen, and his dribble-drive game is unmatched by almost any recruit in the class of 2016. He has a knack for getting to the rim and tends to take it to the hoop rather than settling for outside jump shots. One of the toughest aspects of college ball is the physicality that it brings; that should not be an issue for Jarreau. At 6-5, he’s built like a forward, and he’s very skilled at finishing through any sort of contact. This kid can shoot, pass, and drive like no other, and he’s got what it takes to lift UMass back to the top of the A-10 standings. Just check out his highlights.

Potential Impact

DeJon Jarreau will be an immediate starter on what looks to be a dangerous Massachusetts backcourt next season. Look for him to play the 1 with rising junior Donte Clark playing the 2. Jarreau is one of the most talented recruits that the Minutemen have had in quite some time, and his impact will be felt throughout his career in Massachusetts. Derek Kellogg’s young talent should flourish in its first season, but don’t expect the Minutemen to go and win the A-10 title this year. Freshmen like Jarreau will develop and eventually give this UMass team a solid core of talent that it can build off of in order to reach the NCAA Tournament once more.

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