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The BasketRebs are preparing to hit the court in a couple of weeks to begin the 2020-21 season, but head coach Kermit Davis & Co. aren’t taking time off the recruiting trail.
On Wednesday, the Rebels gained three guards to close out the recruiting cycle, including the top-ranked player in the state of Mississippi. I’ve never claimed to be a recruiting analyst, but I’m tackling this one for the boys at Red Cup, and honestly, these kids’ numbers speak for themselves.
4-star Daeshun Ruffin
Overall rank: 53
Point guard rank: 10
Hometown: Jackson, Miss.
It’s always nice to land the best talent in your home state, and Ruffin provides just that for Ole Miss. Ruffin is a top-100 player and is a consensus four-star, giving the Rebels their highest-rated signee since
[checks notes]
Matthew Murrell in 2020.
In the 2020 5A State Title Game, Ruffin only managed to drop 33 points in The Pavilion and secure All-State and Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Seems decent.
5'9 Daeshun Ruffin has committed to Ole Miss! @DaeshunRuffin pic.twitter.com/Jm4g21EkHi
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 17, 2020
With these numbers in mind, the Clarion-Ledger listed Ruffin as the best player in the state of Mississippi and named him to their annual “Dandy Dozen.”
3-star James White
Overall rank: 125
Shooting guard rank: 30
Hometown: Conyers, Ga.
Then there’s James White who measures in at 6-foot-5 and is the No. 9 player out of Georgia, himself hailing from Heritage High School in Conyers. White accumulated 724 points in his junior season alone and earned first team all-state and all-region honors last season. His large frame also helped him average eight rebounds per game.
Enjoy this mix I did for Ole Miss commit @jwdub05.
— Brianna Patton (@briannapatton22) August 28, 2020
Here’s a small glimpse of what Ole Miss fans can expect to see from James White. A kid who can go out and get a bucket at any time pic.twitter.com/2FQvrhtjrW
We have to wait a while before these guys see the floor at The Pavilion, but with a team that, on paper, is talented this year and a lot of talent waiting in the wings, things are looking good for the tea sippin’ coach and his Rebels.
3-star Grant Slatten
Overall rank: N/A
Shooting guard rank: 35
Hometown: Sparta, Tenn.
Let’s move on to Mr. Slatten who is the No. 7 player in the state of Tennessee and already has 1,808 POINTS SCORED IN THREE YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL BALL and is also listed at 6-foot-5. I’m told that’s efficient, but I’m waiting on confirmation. This man averaged 26.8 points per game as a junior for White County High School which, again, seems efficient, but I could be wrong.
He’s got some bounce, too.
THAT’S WHAT WE DO NOW @GrantSlatten pic.twitter.com/dDIC8Bmclp
— Overtime (@overtime) January 11, 2020