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

By Joey Loose

Dec 8, 2020; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Jackson State Tigers guard Tristan Jarrett (4) handles the ball while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Cameron Matthews (4) during the second half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2020; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Jackson State Tigers guard Tristan Jarrett (4) handles the ball while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Cameron Matthews (4) during the second half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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SWAC Basketball Texas Southern Tigers forward Derrick Griffin (23) Arizona Wildcats center Chance Comanche (21) (left) an guard Rawle Alkins Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
SWAC Basketball Texas Southern Tigers forward Derrick Griffin (23) Arizona Wildcats center Chance Comanche (21) (left) an guard Rawle Alkins Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Derrick Griffin

Griffin is a 6’7 forward from Houston who stayed close to home, starring for a pair of seasons at Texas Southern. Not only was he successful on the basketball court, but he also played football for the Tigers, appearing as wide receiver before getting kicked off the team. His basketball career spanned 40 games between 2015 and 2016 before moving on.

In his first season on the basketball court, Griffin proved to be a fantastic player, averaging 13.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Not only did he help lead Texas Southern to a regular season title but he also had twelve consecutive double-doubles. He would leave school halfway through his second season in late 2016 but did have a 26-rebound performance in a loss at Louisville, averaging a double-double again during that season.

We only saw Griffin play just over three dozen basketball games, but his talent was on full display. In that initial season he was named SWAC Player of the Year after leading the conference in rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage. That season was truly electric, even though the Tigers fell just short of the NCAA Tournament. Griffin could’ve put up some record-breaking numbers had he played college basketball for more than a season and a half.