Jalen Slawson

Born on October 22, 1999, Jalen Brooks Slawson is an esteemed professional American basketball player currently signed up with the Osceola Magic in the NBA G League. A native of Summerville, South Carolina, Slawson’s basketball career trailblazed during his years at Pinewood Preparatory School before he went on to play college basketball for the Furman Paladins. His skills on the basketball court took on a new dimension as his high school years elevated his playing prowess, leading him to claim the title of Area Player of the Year during his senior year. Slawson’s impressive stats during that period reflected an average of 14.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.1 blocks and 3.5 assists per game.

Having committed to playing for Furman in his college years, Slawson’s game scaled up progressively. As a freshman, he was a crucial bench player, evolving into a starter by his sophomore season. Slawson averaged 8.7 points during his junior year, carving a niche for himself as a player of notable standing. His excellence on the field was recognized when he was named the Southern Conference (SoCon) Defensive Player of the Year and later, as a member of the first-team All-SoCon.

His senior season saw him putting up a stellar performance averaging 14.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. A bounce in Slawson’s game was witnessed during the 2020 season when the COVID-19 pandemic led to college athletes being granted an extra year of eligibility. Deciding to utilize this, Slawson returned to Furman for a fifth season. With his spirited play, he bagged the SoCon Player of the Year and significantly contributed to the Paladins’ first NCAA tournament appearance in 43 seasons.

His performance on the court remained robust during the season, displaying an average of 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. During the first round of the NCAA tournament, Slawson scored 19 points and made 10 rebounds, leading the Paladins to a 68-67 win over Virginia.

Following his successful college career, Slawson made his entry into the professional basketball world through the 2023 NBA draft. Selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round as the 54th overall pick, on July 2, 2023, he subsequently signed a two-way contract with them. The following year, on September 11, 2024, Slawson entered into a contract with the Orlando Magic. However, he was waived on October 19, and shortly afterward, he signed with the Osceola Magic eight days later.

Basketball runs in Slawson’s blood as his father, Tom Slawson, was himself a former college basketball player at The Citadel. Like father, like son, Slawson is following his father’s footsteps carving out his own name in the history of professional basketball. With a promising career trajectory, Slawson is on his way to achieving basketball greatness. The journey of Slawson has only begun, and with his potential, the future of his basketball career shines brightly.