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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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Cincinnati Bearcats guard Chris McNeal (0) drives against Alabama A&M Bulldogs forward Jalen JohnsonSWAC Basketball Alabama A M Bulldogs At Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats guard Chris McNeal (0) drives against Alabama A&M Bulldogs forward Jalen JohnsonSWAC Basketball Alabama A M Bulldogs At Cincinnati Bearcats /

22. Jalen Johnson

A 6’7 forward from Indianapolis, Johnson got his career started in the SWAC, beginning his college journey in 2019 at Alabama A&M. Though mostly a reserve as a freshman, Johnson would become an impactful frontcourt weapon for his next two seasons before choosing to transfer to Milwaukee for his senior season.

Johnson showed potential in that freshman season and realized it in the following years. As a sophomore, he was up to 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game, numbers he’d virtually copy in his junior season as well. In that third year at Alabama A&M, he helped lead the Bulldogs to a 5th place finish in the SWAC. During that season he scored a career-high 30 points in a loss at Cincinnati.

He’d earn All-SWAC honors for those final two years, including the First Team nod for a really good junior year. Johnson was one of the league’s best scorers and rebounders, while also leading the SWAC in field goal percentage during his sophomore year. His time with Alabama A&M was really solid, though his journey in the SWAC isn’t actually complete. He has transferred back into the league and will be featured at Grambling State next season.