6A: Jefferson Democrats – 2025-26 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season begins, rosters are being released and I'm going to be previewing each team from the 6A and 5A levels. I'll go over each team's key players going into this coming season, list the returners/newcomers, and key departures. Here is the preview of the Jefferson Democrats (6A) of the Portland Interscholastic League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Rob Smaller (2nd Season at Jefferson)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season's Record: 9-15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2693425"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693225a963cb2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably the best run-and-jump athlete on the Democrats, Gresham showed flashes of his potential during the Capital City Classic. He's got good length and hops at 6-foot-3 and has the natural timing to be an effective shot blocker. Offensively he's still a bit raw but was able to use his athleticism and strength to muscle his way to some tough finishes in the paint. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1602193"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693225a963d40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1602193' first='Jaamir' last='Roberson'], a 5'10" point guard, is a smart and impactful floor general with strong length for his position. He's a reliable shooter you can't afford to leave open and a steady facilitator who keeps the offense flowing. Defensively, Roberson uses his length and awareness to disrupt plays, and he's effective in transition, making good decisions on the move. With solid ball-handling and a high basketball IQ, he provides steady two-way production in the backcourt. (AG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2132790"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693225a963dad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Athletic and muscular guard whose physical attributes were difficult for opponents to match up against. Consistently sought to move the basketball and find teammates for scores, and balanced it well with his own offense. The Jefferson junior got to the basket when he wanted to and was sharp with his jumper, both from distance and the mid-range pull-up. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returners</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2026488' first='Kingston' last='Paschal'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2572003' first='Aaron' last='Crews'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michael Boyd (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2539809' first='Victor' last='Jackson'] (Class of 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KJ Jackson (Class of 2027, Transfer from RA Prep)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amir Mangum (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elijah Murillo (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2910085' first='Kaidence' last='Lee'] (Class of 2029)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Lee (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Derek Tillery (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DJ Demario Davis (Class of 2029)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Departures</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D'Ryus Dent (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brave Johnson (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jehiel Brown (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additional Contributions by Jed Tai</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->