Jayden Epps is the latest transfer portal prospect to commit to the Bulldogs.
Jayden Epps is the latest player to enter the NCAA transfer portal and has committed to Mississippi State, joining fellow transfers Ja’Borri McGhee from UAB, Quincy Ballard from Wichita State, Amier Ali from Arizona State, and Achor Achor from Kansas State. Mississippi State’s head coach Chris Jans has taken the team to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments, but this marks the second year in a row he must rebuild his roster. Only Shawn Jones and potentially Josh Hubbard, who declared for the NBA draft but retained his college eligibility, will return as significant contributors.
Epps hails from Norfolk, Virginia, and developed his skills at Combine Academy in North Carolina. He received a four-star rating from 247Sports coming out of high school, boasting a score of 95, and received offers from major programs like Kansas, UConn, and Florida, but ultimately chose Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound guard had a solid freshman year, playing in 31 games with 11 starts and averaging 24.6 minutes on the court.
During his initial season, he averaged 9.5 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game, shooting 41% overall and 30% from three-point range. After a promising freshman campaign, Epps decided to enter the transfer portal, eventually landing at Georgetown. While at Illinois, he reached double figures in scoring 20 times, showcasing his potential.
At Georgetown, Epps’s role expanded significantly; he started 28 of 29 games, averaging 34.8 minutes per game. His performance peaked as he averaged 18.5 points, 1.2 steals, 4.2 assists, and 2.6 rebounds, shooting at 39% from the floor and 30% from beyond the arc. He made a strong impression in the Big East Conference, finishing third in scoring and reaching double digits in 24 games, including an impressive seven outings where he scored over 30 points.
In his most recent season, Epps’s stats saw a slight decline, appearing in 27 games with 21 starts, while averaging 30.6 minutes per game. He finished the year with averages of 12.8 points, 1.4 steals, 2.3 assists, and 2.1 rebounds, maintaining a shooting percentage of 39% from the field and a career-best 34% from three.
Since entering the transfer portal, Epps has earned a grade of 93 from 247Sports, ranking him as the tenth-best combo guard with a four-star designation. His addition is a significant boost for the Bulldogs, whether partnering with Hubbard or stepping in solo. Epps brings valuable experience as a scorer in major college basketball. Coach Jans has blended young talent and experienced players in this recruitment class, and Epps stands out as the most notable addition so far. Initially, the team’s prospects looked uncertain, but they are gradually assembling a roster that could contend for another NCAA tournament appearance.
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