The JUCO Files Part 15
JUCO hoops are the backbone of college basketball. The JUCO files highlights underclassmen ready to make the D1 jump while improving their NIL and portal value through playing time in the NJCAA.
Why JUCO?
Jimmy Butler honed his skills at Tyler Junior College before shining at Marquette. He’s not the only one—players like Dalton Knecht, now with the Lakers, and Jonathan Mogbo with the Raptors, also emerged from JUCO, refining their game en route to the NBA.
This highlights the value of JUCO basketball. It’s a grounded environment focused on fundamentals, resilience, and player development, serving as a vital stepping stone to Division I.
That’s why I launched The JUCO Files in my newsletter, to explore these overlooked prospects with the potential to succeed at various college levels, from small programs to power-five schools.
The aim is to showcase how JUCO prepares players for the next stage of their careers.
Prospects
1. Jalen Ricks — South Plains
Shooting Guard/Small Forward — 6’7” — Sophomore — Sherwood, AR
Link to Bio and Stats — Link to X Profile
Ricks was one of the best players in JUCO this past season. His excellent positional size, handles, and high-arcing shot are the three main translatable parts college coaches buy with his profile. He’s a fluid and creative scorer. With great length and foot speed, he can switch and defend against multiple positions. However, he’s a scorer and ball handler before everything.
His sophomore year at South Plains helped him grow into a role where he can play with reduced touches. He’s improved as a team player. That led to him shooting 42.5% from three in conference play while collecting over two steals per game. He’s improving his frame, where his size allows him to play as a help-side defender while his big and quick hands help him impact passing lanes.
Ricks has the makings of a top mid-major player, especially considering he has quickly improved his shot selection this year, showing much better decision-making in conference play compared to the non-conference schedule. Shockingly, he hasn’t committed yet. His role is mainly as a slasher who’ll make plays out of closeouts as a scorer and secondary creator. After his Final Four run in the NJCAA Tournament, he’s ready to continue thriving at the Division I level.
Why Subscribe?
At close to 100 JUCO and international prospects covered, my newsletter, Ersin’s NBA Draft Notebook, zeroes in on two under-the-radar pools. Both are goldmines for college teams looking to find their next contributor. I break down what these prospects bring to the table—their fit, their game— so coaches can lean on us as an extra set of eyes. It’s straightforward scouting, focused on real, actionable info.