DeJon Jarreau

DeJon Jarreau's Biography

DeJon Jarmond Jarreau, born on January 23, 1998, has made a name for himself as an American professional basketball player. His journey took him from the gritty streets of the 7th Ward in New Orleans to the glamorous stages of the NBA G League, where he was last seen exhibiting his prowess with the Memphis Hustle.

Jarreau grew up in a neighborhood ravaged by crime and poverty but remained steadfast in his pursuit of a better life. His journey started at McDonagh 35 College Preparatory Charter High school located in his hometown of New Orleans. He proved his skills on the court and caught the attention of numerous colleges after displaying stellar performances for Elfrid Payton Elite in the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.

He was highly sought after, ranking as a four-star recruit, and eventually committed to playing university basketball at UMass, choosing them over an attractive offer from Miami. His time at UMass saw him continuously improve his skills, scoring a season-high of 25 points against Ole Miss in his freshman year, although it was a narrow loss for his team. Despite averaging decent stats of 9.8 points and 4.5 assists per game, he decided to leave UMass following the dismissal of head coach, Derek Kellogg.

Jarreau then transferred to Houston for his sophomore season where he averaged solid stats of 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. His contributions to the team did not go unnoticed as he was honored with the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Sixth Man of the Year. However, he also courted a bit of controversy after being ejected from a game on February 1, 2020, due to unacceptable behavior that saw him receive a one-game suspension.

In his junior season at Houston, his statistics slightly improved, but he decided to test the waters and declared himself for the 2020 NBA draft. He soon changed his mind and withdrew his name, preferring to return to Houston. His decision to continue with college basketball was rewarded when he had his breakthrough performance on March 12, 2021, during the AAC tournament quarterfinals against Tulane. He registered 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, the first triple-double performance by a Houston player since Bo Outlaw in 1993. This feat also made him the first player ever to achieve a triple-double in AAC Tournament history.

His senior year saw consistent performances, averaging 10.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and securing 1.3 steals per game. These achievements earned him the AAC Defensive Player of the Year title and a place on the Second Team All-AAC. Despite these accolades, Jarreau went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, but his journey was far from over.

He joined the Miami Heat for the 2021 NBA Summer League, putting up strong performances that earned him a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers on August 24, 2021. The Pacers offered him the opportunity to prove his worth, alternating between them and their NBA G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. However, his stint was short-lived and he was released after playing merely one minute in a single game.

He bounced back quickly as he got traded by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants to the Texas Legends within a week in return for Kenny Williams and a first-round draft pick. Soon after, he signed a 10-day contract with the Houston Rockets but got earmarked for the NBA’s health and safety protocols, which denied him the opportunity to represent the Rockets.

Having cleared the health procedures, he returned to his previous team, the Texas Legends. Later, he was part of a lucrative deal where he, along with a second-round draft pick, got traded to the Capital City Go-Go in exchange for two first-round draft picks. His time at Go-Go included a brief separation, followed by a reacquisition.

His determination and perseverance continued guiding his destiny as he got another opportunity in the form of a trade to the Memphis Hustle. Jarreau proved his mettle yet again when he was signed to a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, which extended for another 10 days based on his performances.

Off the court, DeJon is the sibling to a brother named John Jarreau. He also shares a relationship with his late cousin, rapper Young Greatness, who tragically lost his life in a shooting incident in 2018. He enjoys a close bond with his high school and college basketball teammate, Brison Gresham. DeJon Jarreau has not only made his mark on the field but also in his family, becoming its first member to earn a college degree.