Newport is a loaded backcourt but with a potential injury to Tay Kinney, Jackson may be counted on for a lot next week. Holding some scholarship offers already, Deshaun is a nice player who will be a contributor at the D2 or NAIA level next year.

You won’t find many tougher high school senior guards that can help you win games than Jackson. His strength, patience and poise were on full display on Wednesday as he finished with 17 points on 8/9 shooting and a game-high 7 assists to just 1 turnover. I love the pace that Jackson plays with and his ability to get all his teammates involved throughout the game. Combine that with the toughness he plays with and he’s a flat-out winner at the high school level. If I believed in the jumper at all from 3-point range, he would be a Division I prospect in my eyes. If Jackson winds up at the Division II, NAIA or JUCO level and finds his shot, he could be a transfer up target after a few college seasons.

Jackson is very athletic and can get into the paint consistently on offense. Defensively, DeShaun has the ability to sit down and guard against some of the best guards in the state when he wants to. DJ is the X factor in Newport’s pursuit of a state title, in my opinion.

For a team that lost one starter, DeShaun Jackson DeShaun Jackson 6'3" | PG Newport | 2024 State KY is a great addition to Newport. Jackson comes in from Taft (OH), where he averaged 8.2 points and 8.3 assists. DeShaun can do it all. He can score, play solid defense, share the ball, and rebound. Even when he isn’t putting the ball in the basket, he is doing whatever it takes to win. Jackson holds an offer from the University of Pikeville.

Another team that will start 3 guards, Jackson comes from Taft High School in Cincinnati and will play both on and off the ball. Deshaun joins with Jabari Covington Jabari Covington 6'1" | PG Newport | 2024 State KY and Taylen Kinney Taylen Kinney 6'1" | PG Overtime Elite | 2026 State #18 Nation GA to be possibly the best backcourt in Kentucky.

DeShaun may not have played for the Wildcats last season, but he is a nice addition with the loss of one starter. Newport has a young roster so not only will his performances on the court come in handy, but so will his leadership. Jackson will complete one of the best backcourts in the state.

Coming from Cincy where he played at Taft, Jackson joins Jabari Covington Jabari Covington 6'1" | PG Newport | 2024 State KY and Taylen Kinney Taylen Kinney 6'1" | PG Overtime Elite | 2026 State #18 Nation GA to make what is likely the best backcourt in northern Kentucky and one of the best in the Commonwealth. Deshaun is primarily a driver on offense but will knock down shots from the perimeter if left open. He’s already earned an offer from Pikeville and could have more coming his way if he continues playing at such a high level.

Jackson led Moss Elite with 18 points in a win over Griffin Elite Stinebruner. Deshaun has shown the ability to play on or off the ball and definitely helped his college stock on Saturday.

Jackson was one of a few 2024s to earn an offer this weekend as Pikeville was the first school to offer the Newport transfer. Coming from Taft in Ohio, Deshaun has the potential to play either guard spot at the next level and plays in a loaded backcourt for the Wildcat team that made it all the way to the championship game of the 64 team bracket.

Newport has loaded up on talent from the other side of the Ohio river and Jackson made the move from Cincinnati Taft to Newport. A tough guard, Jackson uses his strength and toughness to get into the lane. With good touch around the basket, Jackson made a couple floaters through contact. An elite passer, Jackson averaged over eight assists a game as a Junior and shows that skill every time you watch him play. For Jackson to become the best college player he can, a total rework of his jump-shot is necessary, but he brings a ton else to the table. If a program believes they can develop his jumper, the sky is the limit for Jackson down the road. Currently, he’s a very impactful high school player who continues to get better and better each time I watch him play.