SoCon Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Aug 25, 2023

Mar 23, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Wofford Terriers guard Fletcher Magee (3) leads his team in a huddle before their game against the Kentucky Wildcatsin the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

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SoCon Basketball East Tennessee State Buccaneers guard Jalen Riley Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Jalen Riley

A 6’0 point guard from Racine, Wisconsin, Riley began his collegiate career by spending a year apiece at the College of Lake County and at Sauk Valley CC. After standing out at the junior college level, he joined East Tennessee State back in 2013, finally getting his shot at the D1 level. Riley quickly began an important piece for Murry Bartow’s program, who were still in the A-Sun during his initial season.

Today, we’re just looking at his senior season, which was the Buccaneers’ first in the SoCon. Riley wasn’t a starter, but put up massive numbers off the bench, averaging 20.2 points and 2.7 assists per game for East Tennessee State. He scored a career-high 32 points against VMI and had a few other 30-point performances during conference play, leading the Buccaneers to a 5th-place finish in their debut season.

He was named First Team All-SoCon and led the conference in scoring. No player in the nation was utilized more than Riley, who became the focal piece on offense for the Buccaneers, also leading the SoCon in free throws and other metrics. His numbers were pretty decent all around, leading East Tennessee State to a solid first season in their new league. Averaging more than 20 points a game isn’t too bad either.