By Robert Wilson
It didn’t take long for Madison Central’s Jeff Flanagan to make the transition from football to basketball.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Flanagan had 73 tackles, 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery from his safety position this season in football.
Now, Flanagan is showing off his skills in basketball.
Flanagan averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 steals in two games last week.
For his outstanding performance, Flanagan has been named the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player of the Week.
Flanagan – a member of the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Preseason Metro Jackson Elite 11 Team – had 24 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in a 70-67 loss at Holmes County Central and 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in a 73-49 victory over previously undefeated Biloxi at Biloxi last week.
He is averaging 16.6 points, 6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2 steals this season going into this week.
“Jeff is an exceptional athlete and ball player who is a joy to coach,” Madison Central coach Ben Gardner said. “He is a two sport guy who starred at safety for our football program for the last two years. Jeff’s impact on the court was felt immediately. His length and effort defensively creates so many issues for opposing players. His IQ, skilll, and athleticism allow him to fill the stat sheet while scoring the basketball on all three levels. I can’t take credit for the majority of the success he has on the court for us. It just boils down to God given talent and the dedication that Jeff has chosen to exhibit. I am fortunate to have him in our program and look forward to he and his teammates pushing this program toward one the next two years.”
Flanagan has offers from Alcorn State, Samford and Mississippi Gulf Coast for basketball and Jones County Junior College for football.
He averaged 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 points, 1.6 steals and helped Madison Central to a 23-12 record and a MHSAA Class 7A state runner-up finish last year as a sophomore. Flanagan scored 17 points in the 7A semifinals in a win over Brandon.
Flanagan is the son of Jeff Flanagan Sr. and Meesha Flanagan. Jeff played multiple sports at Velma Jackson High. He has been a professional touring bassist for more than 20 years and won a Grammy in 2024 as a bassist for Mr. Sipp blues artist. Meesha played basketball at Wingfield High. Flanagan’s brother, Odareion Clark, played football at Forest Hill High and Hillcrest Christian School. Flanagan’s sister, Meah Flanagan, is a cheerleader at Madison Middle School. Flanagan’s uncle, Patrick Hudson, played basketball at Velma Jackson and Coahoma Community College and Flanagan’s aunt, Brittany Flanagan, played basketball at Velma Jackson and Holmes CC.
Madison Central, 6-5, plays host to Hancock, 4-7, Friday at Madison Central.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a boys basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by sending a text to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
