Reigning SWAC Player of the Year Daeshun Ruffin will return to Jackson State for the 2026–27 season, the school announced Thursday.
Ruffin is coming off one of the most productive individual seasons in the country, averaging 23.3 points, 5.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 42.6% from the field and 84.3% from the free-throw line.
His 23.3 points per game ranked fourth nationally during the 2025–26 season. He also scored at least 30 points eight times and became one of only three Division I players nationally to average at least 20 points and five assists during the regular season.
The Jackson, Mississippi native earned SWAC Player of the Year and First Team All-SWAC honors after leading the conference in scoring.
Ruffin had previously entered the transfer portal following the season, but Jackson State announced that he has been granted an extra year of eligibility, allowing him to return to the Tigers for another season.
The return also gives new Jackson State head coach Trey Johnson his reigning conference Player of the Year as he begins his first season leading the program. Johnson previously worked with Ruffin as Jackson State’s associate head coach.
The SWAC Player of the Year is back.
