WIGGY BALL, HARTFIELD ACADEMY, 6-2, SENIOR, GUARD
Ball averaged 14 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds per game with a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio and led Hartfield to a 18-12 record and reached the first round of the MAIS Class 6A state tournament and was on the fourth team of the Mississippi Scoreboard All Metro Jackson team last season as a junior.
He also led the team with 135 assists, 45 deflections and 42 steals and was second with 120 rebounds.
Ball scored his 1,000th career point against Madison-Ridgeland Academy and has 1,054 points, 536 assists and 442 rebounds in his career.
“Wiggy has had an outstanding summer,” Hartfield coach Chris Goodman said. “He played on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer, Nike’s top AAU circuit, and played well with LivOn. They wrapped up their summer playing in the Peach Jam. He is currently being looked at by a few DI schools to play basketball. He has interest from Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana Lafayette, James Madison and Jones County Community College. Wiggy is a complete guard who can see the floor like a quarterback and find guys open. His jump shot has greatly improved and is our best on ball defender. Wiggy has put on about 15 pounds of muscle this summer to help get his body ready for this basketball season. He is going to be the first player in school history to have 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists and 500 rebounds in his career.”
Ball, a left-handed pitcher, is a Meridian Community College baseball commitment.
Ball is the son of Hartfield girls basketball assistant coach Bill Ball, who won 599 boys games, four state championships and two Overall Tournament titles in 22 seasons at Jackson Academy, Starkville Academy and Hartfield. His last season was 2022-2023 at Hartfield.
He had 16 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals in 12 minutes in a 72-27 win over Lamar School in the season opener last week.
BRAYDEN BARNES, BRANDON, 6-3, SENIOR, GUARD
Barnes averaged 17 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals and led Brandon to an 18-12 record and the MHSAA Class 7A state semifinals and was fourth team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a junior.
Barnes scored 20 points in Brandon’s game in the 7A state semifinals against Clinton.
“Braylon is one of the most versatile guards in the state,” said Brandon coach Fred Barnes, who is Braylon’s father. “He is the ultimate weapon on the offensive end of the court. Braylon basketball IQ is incredible. He can score from anywhere on the court. But his greatest attribute is the fact that he is a winner. Braylon has led his team to the Big House in his sophomore and junior years.”
Barnes has offers from Jackson State, Jones County Junior College, Meridian Community College, and Baton Rouge CC.
He had 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in a 51-48 loss to Brookhaven in the season opener last week.
JAMARION FLEMING, 6-9, CANTON, SENIOR, CENTER
Fleming, who has verbally committed to Mississippi State, averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocked shots and helped Canton to a 26-4 record and the MHSAA Class 5A state championship and was first team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a junior.
He had 25 points (11 of 15 from the field) with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocked shots in Canton’s 58-40 victory over Yazoo City in the state championship game.
Fleming is rated the No. 1 player in Mississippi in the Class of 2025 and the No. 19 center in the country by 247 Sports.
“Jamarion is in a new role as a leader and teaching the ones under him who were on the team last year to be his leaders as well,” Canton coach Brian Townsend said. “His new role includes playing positions 1 through 5 and expanding his game to get him ready for the next level.”
In addition to MSU, Fleming has offers from Ole Miss, Jackson State, Alabama, LSU, Wake Forest, Marquette, Fresno State and James Madison.
He averaged 13.5 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots and helped Canton to a 22-7 record and the MHSAA Class 5A semifinals two years ago as a sophomore
Fleming had 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots in a 69-58 win over Yazoo City in the season opener last week.
SAM FUNCHES, GERMANTOWN, 6-11, JUNIOR, CENTER
Funches averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots and helped Germantown to a 14-17 record and the MHSAA Class 7A state semifinal finish and was first team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a sophomore.
He is rated as the No. 43 player and No. 3 center in the country in the Class of 2026 by ESPN.
“Sam has been really focused on the upcoming season,” Germantown coach Chris Love said. “He is the definition of a modern day big that can play inside and outside and handle the ball. Sam is eager to show everyone how much better he has gotten.”
Funches has Division I offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Missouri, Texas A&M, Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Gonzaga, California, Creighton, and Wichita State.
Funches’ father, Sam, was an All-State player at Murrah High, was rated one of the top 10 power forwards in the country and played at Connecticut and North Texas.
Funches had 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocked shots and 2 assists in a 67-22 win over Warren Central in the season opener last week.
EMAJAI HORTON, LANIER, 6-3, SENIOR, GUARD
Horton, a transfer from Provine, averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and helped Provine to a 22-8 record and a MHSAA Class 5A semifinals finish and was second team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a junior.
“Emajai’s playing style is similar to (NBA star) Luka Doncic,” Lanier coach Lawrence “Bo” Clark said. “He has an extremely high basketball IQ. His three-point shooting has improved, and I think he’s primed for a great season. Emajai can score on all three levels, can dictate the pace of the game from the post or the point. He rebounds well, defends hard, and he’s unselfish. Emajai’s IQ, strong body, and playmaking in my opinion makes him one of the most versatile players in the state. I still don’t believe he has reached his full potential. He’s the kind of kid you would want to go to war with. Emajai is just a tough kid.”
Horton has offers from Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central CC, Holmes CC, Itawamba CC, Meridian CC, and Southwest Mississippi CC.
He had 10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots in a 61-55 win over Vicksburg last week in his first game.
JAVARIAN MALLARD, CALLAWAY, 6-1, SENIOR, GUARD
Mallard averaged 17 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds and led Callaway to a 17-16 record and the MHSAA Class 6A first round appearance and was third team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a junior.
“Greatness isn’t given, it’s earned, tested and proven,” Callaway coach Joshua Harvey said. “Since the ninth grade, I’ve watched Javarian put in the time, hard work, sacrifice, and an unbreakable will, while facing many challenges, in order to earn this amazing opportunity. He’s proven himself time and time again, and this selection is a testament to his relentless, work ethic, consistency, and impact on the game. Being named one of the top players isn’t just about talent, it’s about leadership, dedication, and showing up when it matters most. He’s earned every bit of this recognition. And I’m proud of him.”
Mallard has offers from Tougaloo University, Copiah-Lincoln CC, and Holmes CC.
He had 11 points, 12 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists in a 58-53 win over Yazoo City in the season opener last week.
PHIL NELSON, RIDGELAND, 6-1, SENIOR, GUARD
Nelson averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals and helped Ridgeland to a 25-10 record and the MHSAA Class 6A state runner-up finish and was second team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a junior.
“Phil is a dynamic combo guard who can do it all,” Ridgeland Terron McIntyre said. “He is a player that all coaches would love to coach.”
He has offers from Jackson State, Mississippi College and all of Mississippi’s community colleges.
Nelson had 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in a 67-34 win over Forest Hill the season opener last week.
DYLAN ROWE, MADISON CENTRAL, 6-3, SENIOR, GUARD
Rowe averaged 16.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 steals and helped Madison Central to a 22-12 record and a MHSAA Class 7A quarterfinal finish and was second team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a junior.
“Dylan is the best point guard in the state of Mississippi,” Madison Central coach Ben Gardner said. “Period. He’s led our team to back-to-back district titles in Mississippi’s toughest district, averaged 20 plus wins a season, and would have been a state champion had he not suffered a season ending injury in our playoff game last spring. I say that with confidence knowing what type of player he is and what he brings to the table. Anyone who watched him play towards the end of the year would share that sentiment. It’s fueled him. He’s hungry. The kid has one goal in mind, and he is chasing it every day. On the Friday of fall break, I got out of bed at 6:30 a.m. to get ready so I could let him in the gym. That’s who the kid is. He’s special. I’ve missed players before who have left my program, but none have ever left a void that couldn’t be filled. Dylan’s that type of player. A leader, a champion, a legend. Loved by his teammates, respected by his opponents, revered by his peers. We’re going to enjoy this last ride together. It’s going to special. Any school would greatly benefit from having Dylan in their program. He’s a loyal kid, which is rare in this culture.”
Rowe has offers from Jackson State, Southern University and Nicholls State.
He had 15 points, 13 assists, 7 steals, and 5 deflections in less than three quarters in an 86-33 win over Indianola Gentry in the season opener last week.
BEN SEGREST, JACKSON PREP, 6-1, SENIOR, GUARD
Segrest averaged 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists and led Prep to a 25-12 record, a MAIS Class 6A runner-up finish and reached the Overall Tournament semifinals and was third team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a junior.
He had 18 points, 6 of 12 from 3-point range, in the Overall semifinal loss to Madison-Ridgeland Academy and had 19 points (9 of 14 from the field) with 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals in the loss to JA in the 6A state championship game.
Segrest had a career high 31 points in a win over MHSAA Class 7A Lewisburg last season.
“Ben is a special player,” Prep coach Zach Allison said. “He can do everything on the basketball court at a high level. Ben is a big-time shooter and scorer. He is a good defender and rebounder. Ben is able to create for his teammates as well. But what makes him special is his attitude and work ethic. Ben is a great kid that leads the right way. He is ultra-competitive, and he is always working on his game. We are proud of him.”
Segrest has offers from Belhaven University and Huntington (Ala.) College.
He had 19 points, 5 3-pointers, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists in a 71-33 sin over Leake Central High Saturday in the season opener at the Jump at Madison Central.
MASON WILLIAMS, GERMANTOWN, 6-1, JUNIOR, GUARD
Williams – a transfer from Jackson Academy, son of former NBA Champion and All-Star and current Jackson State men’s basketball coach Mo Williams and brother of Germantown guard and last year’s Metro Player of the Year Mike Williams – averaged 9.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists and helped JA to a 36-1 record and the MAIS Class 6A championship and Overall Tournament title and was third team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a sophomore.
“Mason is a natural playmaker,” Germantown coach Chris Love said. “His vision on the court and his ability to anticipate plays are exceptional. Mason is a coach on the floor that keeps the team organized. In addition, he also is a very good shooter and a great finisher at the rim.”
Williams was second in scoring and rebounding behind his brother Mike last season at JA.
Mason had a game-high 23 points, 5 of 9 from 3-point range, with 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist in JA’s win over Madison-Ridgeland Academy in the Overall championship game. He also had a career-high 27 points in a win to end MRA’s 24-game winning streak.
Mo Williams is considered one of Mississippi’s greatest athletes. He averaged 13.2 points and 4.3 assists during his NBA career, was an NBA All-Star in 2009, won an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavs in 2016 and announced his retirement. He scored 2,433 points at Murrah and was named the Mississippi Player of the Year as a senior in 2001. Mo Williams averaged 25.7 points, 8.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 steals and shot 59 percent from the field, 51 percent from the 3-point range and 90 percent from the free throw line. He was the Sporting News National Freshman of the Year at Alabama and left the Crimson Tide after two seasons to enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-2 point guard was a second-round pick by the Utah Jazz and played for seven NBA teams.
This is the second time in less than one year that the Williams brothers changed schools.
Mo Williams and Mike and Mason’s mom decided last fall that it would be Mike and Mason’s best interest to move from Dallas to Jackson to live with Mo. They decided JA would be the best fit and enrolled in October.
Mason Williams had 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in a 67-22 win over Warren Central in the season opener last week.
MIKE WILLIAMS, GERMANTOWN, 6-FOOT, SENIOR GUARD
Williams – a transfer from Jackson Academy, son of former NBA Champion and All-Star and current Jackson State men’s basketball coach Mo Williams and last year’s Metro Player of the Year – averaged 18.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.8 assists while playing an average of 24.8 minutes and led JA to a 36-1 record and the MAIS Class 6A championship and Overall Tournament title (JA’s first since 2006, tying the most wins in school history and having the best record in school history) and was first team on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a junior.
“Mike is the most focused player I have ever been around (in his 11 seasons as a head coach),” Germantown coach Chris Love said. “The way he works on this game is remarkable. Mike is one of the best scorers in the country. He’s a fierce competitor and we’re expecting big things from him this season.”
Williams – who has verbally committed to Jackson State to play for his father and has an offer from Mississippi State – is rated the No. 2 player in Mississippi and the No. 21 combo guard in the country in the Class of 2025 by 247 Sports.
Williams – playing in the MAIS Class 6A, considered one of the toughest divisions in Mississippi – shot 49.5 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range, and 82.4 percent from the free throw line. He finished second in Mississippi in points per 32 minutes and 3-pointers made (86) and fourth in Mississippi in 3-point percentage.
Williams led JA in points per game, rebounds per game, steals per game, blocked shots per game and minutes per game, 3-point percentage and free throw percentage.
He set a school record with 103 steals this season (Matt Neil had 102 in 2000-2001) and finished second in school history with 696 points (Hastings Puckett had 818 in 1994-1995). Williams also was only 3.2 percentage points in free throw percentage behind school record holder Rob Puckett, who made 85.6 percent in 2005-2006.
This is the second time in less than one year that the Williams brothers changed schools.
Mo Williams and Mike and Mason’s mom decided last fall that it would be Mike and Mason’s best interest to move from Dallas to Jackson to live with Mo. They decided JA would be the best fit and enrolled in October.
Mike Williams had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 assists in a 67-22 win over Warren Central in the season opener last week.
