The JUCO Files Part 13
The transfer portal is live! It's a matter of time before more JUCO players commit to Division I programs. Here are five must-haves for every college coach's list. Subscribe for more:
Why JUCO?
Take Jimmy Butler. He started at Tyler Junior College, grinding away before anyone knew his name at Marquette. And he’s not the only one. Dalton Knecht, now suiting up for the Lakers, and Jonathan Mogbo with the Raptors—they both cut their teeth in JUCO too, honing their skills before breaking into the NBA.
That’s what got me curious about JUCO basketball. It’s not flashy or full of hype, but it’s honest. It’s where players build their fundamentals, toughen up, and grow into something real—ready to take on Division I. So, I decided to start The JUCO Files in my newsletter, shining a light on these prospects who often fly under the radar but have what it takes to make a difference.
What’s the point? To show how JUCO shapes players who can handle the leap—whether they land at a small school, a mid-major, or a big-time program.
Why Subscribe?
My newsletter, Ersin’s NBA Draft Notebook, focuses on two groups that don’t always get the attention they deserve: international players and JUCO guys. Both are packed with talent that college teams could turn into their next key piece. I dig into what these kids offer—how they play, where they fit—so coaches can use it as a reliable second look. It’s just straight-up scouting, no fluff, all about info that actually helps.
It’s $5 a month, or $50 for the year—which works out to getting two months on the house. Want more? For $150 a year, Team Ersin Demir gives you access to my full database and the chance to jump on a Zoom call with me to talk through any player you’ve got your eye on.
Prospects
1. Stephen Williams — Coastal Alabama Community College (South)
Center — 6’9” — Freshman — Atmore, AL
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X Profile
Williams is a long and fluid athlete. His great touch around the rim gets fueled by his two-handed finishing while he’s creative enough to consistently find angles and finish over both shoulders. He has improving footwork and the physical aspect is the main sell to college coaches. Williams has a great feel for positioning, both as a rebounder while also creating plays in the post. His good core strength and fluid hips help him to fluidly seal off opponents. Most of his finishes are athletic dunks or soft touch layups and hooks.
Williams averaged over sixteen points and eight boards while putting up close to two blocks per game. Defensively, he’s most comfortable playing drop coverage while defending, sliding his feet when he has to guard on the perimeter. In last season’s transfer portal, there was a lack of depth among true fives, and that’s where Williams will be a well-regarded commodity for low-major programs. He’s ready to play Division I basketball as of today. The most vital area of development for the next few years is to improve as an off-ball defender where he tends to ball-watch at times. Regardless, Williams should garner more interest throughout the offseason. If he decides to return to JUCO, he has everything to be an All-American next season. But I don’t think Division I programs will pass up on a prospect like him.
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2. Deondrian Washington — Coastal Alabama Community College (North)
Wing — 6’6” — Sophomore — Panama City, FL
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X Profile
Washington combines his athleticism with making plays on the ball. He has decent handles, which will improve in the next few years. At 6-foot-6, he averages over eight rebounds per game. The positional size is the main sell, where Washington has the strength and broad shoulders to serve as a help-side defender inside the arc, earning him more than half a block per game.
The three-point shot is well-developed. At 19 attempts, he hasn’t been able to showcase it consistently at the JUCO level. The main reason is his strength and creativity off the dribble leading him to focus on generating paint touches and serving as a passer. Regardless of averaging less than an assist per game, Washington can develop into a good secondary playmaker. He has tunnel vision as a scorer, mainly taking care of his production rather than involving his teammates.
He’s selfish, but that’s the other side of the coin with JUCO prospects who look to prove their worth to make the transfer up. As a true sophomore, he has enough experience to play as a starter for a low-major program. Defensively, he’s improving his rotations, but that’s still an area of development college coaches have to help him. With big hands and good foot speed, he has the physical tools to develop into a decent defender at the next level. The burst of offense and creativity are the main sell in his profile.
3. Jalexs Ewing — South Georgia Technical College
Combo Guard — 6’3” — Freshman — Augusta, GA
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X Profile
Ewing is an explosive athlete with great verticality. He’s an automatic paint touch who’s deadly when making plays out of closeouts. Despite his slim build, Ewing has broad shoulders with enough room to continue to fill his frame in the next few years. His touch is decent at the rim, but the lack of muscle leads to him struggling to keep his balance when attacking stronger opponents. Regardless, he can fall back to his jumper from the perimeter, shooting over 40% from three this season. The volume is low, but the process of his shot is consistent.
He can turn into a volume shooter who’ll play primarily as a ball-moving slasher. He has good footwork and uses fakes and jab steps to leverage his great burst and explosiveness. Getting downhill is easy for Ewing, but keeping his composure before the finish is the main area of development. Defensively, Ewing’s speed and awareness make him a candidate to play in the point of attack. He has big hands and uses his length to impact passing lanes. He’s an average defender but can become a top-tier defender at the low-major level. As a true freshman, I expect Ewing to garner interest from low-major programs, but for his development, it’s best if he returns to JUCO to continue getting starter minutes.
4. Keaton Cross — Lawson State Community College – Birmingham
Combo Guard — 6’4” — Freshman — Arkansas, USA
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X Profile
Footwork, craft, and creativity summarize Cross’ game. He’s a great scorer with tight handles, which helps him grow into a point guard at the Division I level. While finishing close to 90% of his free-throw attempts, Cross gets to the charity stripe with ease. However, the other side of the coin is that he’s barely shooting threes due to his will to get paint touches. As a floor-spacer for others, he’s best to collapse defenses and thrive in a drive-and-kick-styled game.
At over two assists per game, Cross has to work on his shot selection. He has tunnel vision and often forces shots when he’s not in balance. He leaves many potential assists on the table as he doesn’t make the extra pass. Not playing within the flow of an offense isn’t helping a team’s offensive rating. Defensively, he’s decent in his rotations but lacks the screen navigation to defend in the pick-and-roll. Cross can turn into a mid-major guard if he’s looking to pass the ball more, on top of developing better composure in situations when he has two feet inside the paint. He’s a one-handed finisher whose footwork makes it imminent that he’ll continue to grow as a scorer. I expect Cross to garner interest from low-major programs looking to add creativity to their guard rotation.
5. Kut Deng — Highland Community College – Illinois
Wing/Forward — 6’6” — Sophomore — Adelaide, Australia
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X Profile
Deng is a big strong wing who can play as a four in a shooting-heavy lineup. He has great footwork and primarily thrives as a slasher who makes plays out of closeouts. Deng has a great feel for the game, and his composure, alongside two-handed finishing at the rim, makes him one of the better prospects at the JUCO level. The Australian native plays a three-point-heavy game, shooting over 38% from three on four attempts per game.
He’s a good rebounder with a strong upper body. His broad shoulders and quick feet help him thrive as a ‘grab-and-go’ option, while his overall quickness is perfect to fit into a scheme that relies on playing fast. He isn’t creative and doesn’t play on the ball often. However, when making plays out of closeouts, Deng has great jab steps and timely fakes to create driving angles. His good athleticism and vertical pop keep enough leverage to force help defenders early, making extra passes. With a neutral assist-to-turnover ratio, Deng has to focus on making the extra pass more rather than forcing his finishes at the rim. Regardless, shooting close to 70% from the charity stripe, Deng makes the most of his physicality while his footwork ensures that he keeps his balance when he’s fighting his way to the rim.
I expect Deng to transfer up to the mid-major level to play a good role off the bench in his junior season. If the handles and passing improve, he’ll emerge as a long-term NBA prospect, considering the positional size, excellent length, and clear-cut role with fewer ball touches. Deng is one of the more polarizing prospects at the JUCO level who should get enough offers throughout the summer.
I thought that was what you meant but had to verify it. Lol I was like did that go over my head. Thanks for the reply!
Did I miss something? Where are the 5 must-haves every college coach require?