UMass signee De’Jon Jarreau’s career highlights (Video)
The high school chapter of De’Jon Jarreau’s career came to a close March 4 against Washington Marion in the quarterfinals of the LHSAA playoffs. He finished with a game-high 20 points but it wasn’t enough against the Charging Indians, who went on to become the runner-up in Class 4A.
Jarreau’s prep career was filled with far more successes than failures, though, as he led the Roneagles to 44 wins over the last two seasons. As a junior, he played a critical role in leading McDonogh 35 to the Top 28 for the first time in the school’s history. He posted averages of 16.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists that season, which led to his first LSWA All-State selection.
The 6-foot-5 guard was already on the radar of college programs across the country with offers in hand but his national profile really took off the following summer playing with Elfrid Payton Elite. Jarreau averaged 8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals on Nike’s EYBL circuit with the newly-formed program and weighed offers from Creighton, Florida and Oklahoma among others before choosing UMass in late September.
Jarreau made it official signing with the Minutemen on November 11 and did so with a childhood friend, Brison Gresham. The 6-foot-8 forward was also a key piece to the Roneagles’ run to the semifinals in 2015 but had questions surrounding his eligibility under LHSAA guidelines and did not play in 2015-16. Gresham transferred to Notre Dame Prep in late December but will be reunited with Jarreau in just a few short months.
UMass is getting a player that loves to create for his teammates and finish around the rim and here’s a look at what Jarreau brought to McDonogh 35 and EPE over the last two years. Gresham, who also played his summer ball with Elfrid Payton Elite, makes plenty of cameo appearances wearing No. 41 for EPE and No. 55 during Jarreau’s junior season: