DeJon Jarreau

Jarreau is a defensive-minded guard whose professional career has been defined by perseverance through the G League grind, brief NBA call-ups, and a willingness to embrace whatever role is available. Born in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, he grew up in an environment marked by crime and poverty and used basketball as a pathway to education and stability. His collegiate journey took him from UMass to Houston, where he became one of the most versatile defenders in the American Athletic Conference. His post-college path has been that of a borderline NBA player who survives through defensive identity, playmaking, and energy.

Born DeJon Jarmond Jarreau on January 23, 1998, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he grew up in the 7th Ward. He attended McDonogh 35 College Preparatory Charter High School in New Orleans, where he competed for Elfrid Payton Elite on the AAU circuit alongside close friend Brison Gresham. He was a four-star recruit who committed to UMass over Miami. He was the first member of his family to graduate from college. He has a brother named John Jarreau and is the cousin of rapper Young Greatness, who was shot and killed in 2018.

At UMass, Jarreau played one season under head coach Derek Kellogg. On November 14, 2016, he recorded a freshman season-high of 25 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in a 90-88 loss to Ole Miss. He averaged 9.8 points and 4.5 assists per game as a freshman. After the season, Kellogg was fired, and Jarreau elected to transfer. He chose Houston and sat out a year per NCAA rules. As a sophomore at Houston, he averaged 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists and was named AAC Sixth Man of the Year. On February 1, 2020, in an infamous incident, he was ejected from a game against Cincinnati for biting the leg of an opposing player and received a one-game suspension.

As a junior, Jarreau averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He declared for the 2020 NBA draft but withdrew and returned to Houston. On March 12, 2021, he recorded a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 77-52 win over Tulane in the AAC tournament quarterfinals. It was the first triple-double by a Houston player since Bo Outlaw in 1993 and the first in AAC tournament history. As a senior, he averaged 10.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. He was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-AAC.

Jarreau went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft. He joined the Miami Heat for Summer League and performed well enough to earn a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers on August 24, 2021. Under the deal, he split time between the Pacers and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. On December 15, 2021, he was waived after playing only one minute in one NBA game. On December 27, 2021, his G League rights were traded to the Texas Legends. On December 28, he signed a 10-day contract with the Houston Rockets via hardship exemption. On December 30, he entered the NBA's health and safety protocols and never played for the Rockets. After the contract expired, he rejoined the Legends.

On January 23, 2022, Jarreau and a 2022 second-round pick were traded to the Capital City Go-Go for two 2022 first-round picks. On March 7, 2022, he was waived. On February 24, 2023, he was reacquired by the Go-Go. On December 26, 2023, he was traded to the Memphis Hustle for Mychal Mulder. On March 10, 2024, he signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Ten days later, he signed a second 10-day deal. On March 30, he returned to the Hustle.

On March 13, 2026, Jarreau signed another 10-day contract with the Grizzlies. That night, he played 24 minutes against the Detroit Pistons, recording 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. The following night, he had 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in 23 minutes against the Chicago Bulls. The performances represented another brief opportunity to prove he belongs at the NBA level, though his long-term future remains tied to the G League and emergency call-ups.

Jarreau is a tough, physical guard whose strengths are his defense, rebounding for his size, and playmaking. He is a disruptive on-ball defender who pressures opposing guards and generates steals. He rebounds aggressively for a guard, pushes the ball in transition, and makes the extra pass. His weaknesses are his inconsistent outside shooting, limited scoring creativity, and tendency to be overly aggressive, as evidenced by the biting incident in college. He is not a high-volume scorer and relies on defensive energy and hustle to stay on the floor. His ceiling is as a third guard who provides defensive intensity and playmaking in short bursts.

Jarreau's résumé includes growing up in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, attending McDonogh 35, playing for Elfrid Payton Elite, four-star status, a commitment to UMass, a 25-point freshman game, 9.8 points and 4.5 assists, a transfer to Houston after Kellogg's firing, AAC Sixth Man of the Year, the infamous biting incident and suspension, a withdrawn 2020 draft declaration, a triple-double in the AAC tournament, AAC Defensive Player of the Year, Second Team All-AAC, going undrafted in 2021, Summer League with Miami, a two-way with Indiana, one minute of NBA playing time, a waiver, G League rights traded to Texas, a 10-day with Houston, health and safety protocols, G League rights traded to Capital City, a waiver, a re-acquisition, a trade to Memphis Hustle, two 10-day contracts with the Grizzlies in 2024, a return to the Hustle, and another 10-day with Memphis in 2026. His journey from New Orleans through UMass and Houston into the G League and fringe NBA opportunities reflects a player whose determination and defensive identity have kept his professional career alive despite long odds and repeated setbacks.