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Jackson State's leading scorer Daeshun Ruffin expected to enter transfer portal
Kentucky's new head coach Mark Pope has already brought in Jackson State's head coach and a former high school commit, could Ruffin be next?
Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:03am
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A fractured, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic energy of a star player's potential transfer to a new program.Jackson TodayDaeshun Ruffin, the 2025-26 SWAC Player of the Year who led Jackson State in scoring this past season, is expected to enter the transfer portal once the window opens on April 7. The 5-foot-10 point guard will need a waiver from the NCAA to be eligible at his next stop after spending his first two seasons at Ole Miss and the last three at Jackson State.
Why it matters
Ruffin's decision to transfer comes on the heels of Jackson State head coach Mo Williams being hired as an assistant at Kentucky. Williams' son, four-star point guard Mason Williams, also recently committed to the Wildcats, so Kentucky could look to add Ruffin as well to bolster their backcourt.
The details
Ruffin led the SWAC in scoring this past season by averaging 23.3 points per game, in addition to 5.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. He shot 42.6% from the field, 30.9% from deep, and 84.3% from the free-throw line. A former McDonald's All-American, Ruffin started his college career at Ole Miss, where he was hindered by injuries, before transferring to Jackson State and redshirting the 2023-24 season due to another injury.
- Ruffin intends to enter the transfer portal once the window officially opens on April 7.
- Jackson State head coach Mo Williams was hired as an assistant at Kentucky.
- Williams' son, four-star point guard Mason Williams, committed to the Wildcats on Friday as a 2026 high school recruit.
The players
Daeshun Ruffin
The 2025-26 SWAC Player of the Year who led Jackson State in scoring this past season, averaging 23.3 points per game.
Mo Williams
The former head coach of Jackson State who was hired as an assistant at Kentucky.
Mason Williams
The four-star point guard who recently committed to Kentucky as a 2026 high school recruit.
What’s next
Ruffin will need to apply for a waiver from the NCAA to be eligible to play at his next school, as he has already spent five seasons in college and played in four of them.
The takeaway
Kentucky's new head coach Mark Pope has already made some key additions from Jackson State, bringing in the program's head coach Mo Williams as an assistant and securing a commitment from Williams' son, four-star point guard Mason Williams. Adding Ruffin, the SWAC Player of the Year, would further bolster the Wildcats' backcourt as they look to reload for the 2026-27 season.
