Robert Wilson spent 23 years at The Clarion-Ledger/Jackson Daily News as a sportswriter with more than half of those years covering high school sports, mostly in the Metro Jackson area. He helped chose the Dandy Dozen in various sports for more than a decade. Wilson rebirthed a similar team five years ago with Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Preseason Elite 11 Boys Basketball Team based on our All-Metro team selections from last season and information from high school and college coaches. Wilson selected the best players from Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties from their performances last season. The players below are in alphabetical order. The girls team was published last week.
By Robert Wilson
Cyon Bilbrew, Lanier, 6-7, Senior, Forward
Bilbrew averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots and helped Lanier to a 24-6 record and the MHSAA Class 5A quarterfinals last season as a junior.
“Cyon is naturally a quiet person, but he has become more of a vocal leader for us,” Lanier coach Bo Clark said. “He has really stepped up and has been instrumental in helping the young guys learn and get better. Cyon has elevated his game, he can step out and shoot the three, and he has become a better passer. So we really have high hopes for him this season.”
Bilbrew has offers from Tougaloo College, East Central Community College, East Mississippi CC, Hinds CC, Holmes CC, Itawamba CC, Northeast Mississippi CC, Pearl River CC, and Southwest Mississippi CC.
Ashtin Chancellor, Jim Hill, 6-5, Junior, Guard/Forward
Chancellor averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds and helped Jim Hill to a 24-7 record and the MHSAA Class 6A quarterfinals last season as a sophomore.
He was a member of the fourth team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season.
“Ashtin had an outstanding season last year and established himself as one of the top players in Mississippi,” Jim Hill coach Corwin Buchanan said. “He is one of the few players in the state with experience competing on the Nike Elite circuit with Alabama Fusion, competing against elite talent on a national stage. That experience has helped him develop his overall game and prepare for the challenges ahead. I expect Ashtin to build on last year’s success, continue improving on both ends of the floor, and take on an even bigger leadership role. I believe he has the ability to elevate his game and help lead our program toward our ultimate goal of returning to the Big House. He has put in the work and I’m excited to see what he can accomplish this season. Ashtin has the talent, experience, and competitive drive to make a major impact in the Metro Jackson area and across the state.”
Chancellor has offers from Jackson State, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Mississippi CC, Holmes CC, Itawamba CC, Jones County Junior College, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, and Pearl River CC.
EJ Dampier, MRA, 6-11, Junior, Center
Dampier averaged 15.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.4 blocked shots and 1.2 steals and led MRA to a 37-2 record and won the MAIS Class 4A, Division I and Overall Tournament championships last season as a sophomore. MRA was ranked No. 2 in Mississippi and No. 100 in the country by MaxPreps. Dampier helped MRA coach Richard Duease – the winningest basketball coach in Mississippi history – retire on a winning note after 51 seasons.
Dampier had 27 double doubles and ranked fourth in Mississippi in rebounds per game and eighth in Mississippi in blocked shots per game by MaxPreps this past season. He had career highs of 34 points against Hartfield Academy, 22 rebounds against Choctaw Central and Simpson Academy and eight blocked shots against JA in the Overall championship game. Dampier shot 69.6 percent from the field, second in the country among the top 200 players in field goals made, according to MaxPreps.
Dampier – the son of former Mississippi State and NBA star Erick Dampier, now an MRA assistant coach – was named the Player of the Year on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season.
Dampier won a gold medal for the second straight summer for Team USA Basketball.
He started all seven of the games for the 2026 U17 National Team as they won seven straight games by an average of 49 points and defeated Serbia 107-81 in the championship game Sunday in the FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup in Turkey.
Dampier – ranked the No. 3 player in the country in the Class of 2028 by ESPN – averaged 5 points, shot 77.2 percent from the field (17 of 22), with 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 16.3 minutes per game. He had a high of 8 points against Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals, 11 rebounds against Japan in the second round, and 6 assists against Serbia in the championship game.
He won a gold medal for the Team USA U16 basketball team last summer.
“EJ’s been a huge part of our success over teh past three years,” said first-year MRA coach Harper Hudnall, who was promoted from an assistant to replace Richard Duease, the winningest basketball coach in Mississippi history who retired after 51 seasons, the last 44 at MRA. “He’s been a dominating presence on both ends of the floor. We expect big things from EJ this season. He’s coming off a big summer with Team USA, picking up several high level offers as well. We expect him to continue to make a major impact on our program and lead us in some big time games this season.”
Dampier has offers from Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Jackson State, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Florida State, Purdue, Southern Cal, and San Diego State.
He averaged 13.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game two years ago, the only freshman to make the 20-player All-Metro Jackson Team.
De’Shawn Dillon, Northwest Rankin, 6-4, Senior, Guard
Dillon averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.4 assists and led Northwest Rankin to a 21-12 record, the MHSAA Class 7A semifinals and a No. 22 ranking in Mississippi by MaxPreps.
He made a game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds to send the game into overtime and then made the winning shot in a 55-53 victory over Ocean Springs in the first round of the 7A playoffs state and then scored 26 points in a 61-50 victory over Gulfport in the quarterfinals.
Dillon was a member of the first team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season as junior.
Dillon – the 2026 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year – is rated the No. 2 player in Mississippi, No. 13rated shooting guard and No. 120 player in the country in the Class of 2027.
He has Division I offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Alcorn State, Jackson State, Georgia Tech and New Mexico State.
Dillon averaged 21 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists and helped Northwest Rankin to a 16-15 record and the MHSAA Class 7A first round last season as a sophomore.
“De’Shawn was very big for us las year and when we needed him the most he shined bright,” Northwest Rankin coach Sirdonta Washington said. “His junior year was pretty impressive, winning all-district honors, all-state honors and Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year. De’Shawn is a super athletic guard that can play multiple positions. He’s a three level scorer that can heat up very quickly. What’s most underrated about De’Shawn is his defense. He can guard the other team’s best player and turnaround and beat them on offense. He became a better leader amongst the team between last year and now. His understanding of the game increased as well as he commitment to making the guys around him better. Our plans for the future involve De’Shawn aiming even higher, putting in more work and leaving a legacy at NWR. Our focus is getting him better and prepared to perform at a high rate. We expect him to lead this group and continue to make NWR proud.”
Considered one of the top rated multi-sport athletes in the country, Dillon is rated as the No. 16 football player in Mississippi and the No. 74 wide receiver in the country by 247 Sports. He has Division I offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Jackson State, Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Nebraska, and Troy, Ala.
Dillon was a member of this year’s Taste Restaurant/Mississippi Scoreboard Preseason Metro Jackson Elite 11 Football Team. He has caught 61 passes for 587 yards and three touchdowns through eight games this season.
Dillon had 67 catches (tied for third in Mississippi) for 979 yards (19th in Mississippi) and six TDs and helped Northwest Rankin to a 6-5 record and the MHSAA Class 7A first round last season as a junior. He was a second-team wide receiver on the 2025 Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team.
Jeff Flanagan, Madison Central, 6-3, Senior, Guard
Flanagan averaged 16.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals and helped Madison Central to a 17-15 record and the MHSAA Class 7A first round last season as a junior.
He was a member of the second team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season as junior.
Flanagan has offers from Alcorn State, Samford, Mississippi Christian University, East Central Community College, East Mississippi CC, Itawamba CC, Jones County Junior College, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, and Pearl River CC.
“Jeff has impacted since the moment he stepped onto a high school court as a freshman,” Madison Central coach Ben Gardner said. “We moved him up right before the playoffs and he automatically had multiple games where he found his way into the score sheet. He’s been a high level contributor on both sides of the ball ever since. As a sophomore, Jeff averaged double figures before leading us in scoring as a junior. He usually draws the most difficult defensive assignment each night. We miss him when he’s on the football field where he stars at the safety position. Jeff is poised for a huge senior season. He has offers from basketball basically every junior college in the state in both sports as well as basketball offers from MC, Alcorn and Samford. Whoever gets his signature will have themselves a guy who will them games. Jeff is special and I am blessed beyond measure to have been able to be a small part of his journey. He is a leader not only on the floor, but throughout our school and community.”
Flanagan also starts at defensive back for the Jaguars’ football team. He has 30 tackles and five pass breakups through nine games this season.
Flanagan had 73 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 1 caused fumble and 1 fumble recovery last season as a junior.
He has football offers from Jackson State, East Central Community College, Jones County Junior College and Northwest Mississippi CC.
Austin Richards, Lanier, 6-6, Senior, Forward
The Jackson Academy transfer averaged 17.2 points, 11 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2 blocked shots and helped JA to a 23-11 record and the MAIS Class 4A, Division II championship and an Overall Tournament runner-up finish last season as a junior.
He was a member of the third team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season.
“We are extremely high on Austin, and we are glad to have him back with us,” Lanier coach Bo Clark said. “His teammates love him and he has come back and transitioned well into what we do as a team. I think Austin’s upside is really high. I think he’s very close to being a complete player. His shooting has improved, he’s gotten stronger, and his ball handling and decision making have gotten better. Austin’s a good kid, who comes from a basketball family. His father and his brothers have groomed him to be where he is now. So we only expect good things from and for Austin this year.”
Richards has offers from Tougaloo College, University of New Orleans, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central CC, East Mississippi CC, Hinds CC, Jones County Junior College, Meridian CC, Mississippi Delta CC, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Northeast Mississippi CC, Southwest Mississippi CC, and Pearl River CC.
Richards’ father, Anthony, was an All-State player for Mendenhall and started for Southern Miss. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds as a junior and senior at Mendenhall and led the Tigers to a state runner-up finish as a senior. He was the Conference USA Freshman of the Year at Southern Miss and had an outstanding college career.
Richards has two brothers, Avery and AJ. Avery played basketball at Lanier and Belhaven. AJ played basketball at Callaway and is playing at William Carey.
Jordan Samuel, Northwest Rankin, 6-foot, Senior, Guard
Samuel averaged 10.4 points, 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals and helped Northwest Rankin to a 21-12 record and the MHSAA Class 7A semifinals last season as a junior.
He was a member of the fourth team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season.
“Jordan is one of our guys that can do it all,” Northwest Rankin coach Sirdonta Washington said. “He was also big for us when it counted, with his scoring and play making ability last season. Jordan received all-district honors at the point guard spot, which fueled his drive and passion in the offseason. We expect him to be much more mature on an off the court while working to improve his point guard skills this year. He’s a next level talent and our goal is to have him prepared.”
Samuel was on the varsity as an eighth-grader when Northwest Rankin won the MHSAA Class 7A state championship in 2023.
Maddox Singletary, Madison Central, 5-11, Senior, Guard
The Jones County Junior College commitment averaged 15.7 points, 3.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals and helped Madison Central to a 17-15 record and the MHSAA Class 7A first round last season as a junior.
He was a member of the third team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season as junior.
Singletary scored a career-high 39 points against Pearl in last year’s season opener.
“Maddox has steadily grown into an outstanding high school player,” Madison Central coach Ben Gardner said. “As a ninth grader, he led our group to a Little Six championship, hit the shot to help send us to the Big House as a sophomore, was one of our leading producers as a junior, and is ready to take us to the next level as a senior. I’m so excited to see him finish this part of his race, then being able to watch him continue that race with (Jones County JC) Coach (Newton) Mealer in Ellisville. Maddox is special and I am blessed beyond measure to have been able to be a small part of his journey. He is a leader not only on the floor, but throughout our school and community.”
In addition to Jones, Singletary has a offer from East Central Community College.
Xavier Thompson, Murrah, 6-5, Senior, Forward
Thompson averaged 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists and helped Murrah to a 19-12 record and the MHSAA Class 7A first round last season as a junior.
He was a member of the third team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season.
“X was who we needed him to be for us to be successful all last season,” Murrah coach Jeremy Caldwell said. “He was a leader, a great teammate and our leading scorer.”
Thompson has offers from Mississippi Christian University, Tougaloo College, East Central Community College and Pearl River CC.
Anthony Trotter, Jr., Jim Hill, 6-4, Sophomore, Guard
Trotter averaged 12 points, 8 assists and 2 steals and helped Jim Hill to a 24-7 record and the MHSAA Class 6A quarterfinals last season as a freshman.
He was a member of the fourth team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season.
“Anthony is an extremely talented player who brings skill, confidence, and the competitiveness to our program,” Jim Hill coach Corwin Buchanan said. “He continued to establish himself as one of the top players in the state last season. His experience competing in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit with Alabama Fusion helped him gain valuable experience against high-level competition and continue developing his game. I expect Anthony to take another step forward as a leader, become even more consistent, and establish himself as one of Mississippi’s premier players. His talent, work ethic and competitive mindset give him the potential to have a special season. He has put in the work and I’m excited to see what he can accomplish this season. Anthony could make a major impact in the Metro Jackson area and across the state.”
Unfortunately, Trotter suffered a leg injury recently and is expected to be out indefinitely.
Braxton Ward, Raymond, 6-2, Senior, Guard
The Callaway transfer averaged 23.9 points (fifth in Mississippi and third in the MHSAA, according to MaxPreps), 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.9 assists and led the Chargers to a 17-17 record and MHSAA Class 6A semifinals last season as a junior.
He was a member of the first team on the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson team last season.
Ward had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to lead Callaway to a 60-54 victory over defending 6A state champion Ridgeland in the 6A state quarterfinals and scored a career-high 33 points against Brandon last season.
He averaged 19.7 points and led Callaway to a 11-20 record and the MHSAA Class 6A first round two years ago as a sophomore.
“Braxton is an elite talent,” Raymond coach Tony Tadlock said. “Since Day 1, he’s come in and worked hard on his craft in becoming a complete player. Braxton is a gym rat. He is one of the best competitors that I’ve had the opportunity to coach. The kid is a winner and holds his teammates accountable. Braxton is an alpha dog. He’s the best scorer in Mississippi.”
Ward is now on one of the most successful boys basketball programs in Mississippi. Raymond had made the state championship game for nine consecutive seasons (winning five state titles during the streak) before losing to Leake Central 58-56 in the MHSAA Class 4A quarterfinals last season.
Ward has offers from Alcorn State, Jackson State, Texas El-Paso and Mississippi and Texas junior colleges.
Ward’s father, Reginald, played at Bay Springs High and played at Alcorn State and is a member of the Alcorn State Basketball Hall of Fame.
