Ruffin looks to show deep set of skills in Memphis
MEMPHIS — Daeshun Ruffin has had his sights set on the future for some time.
The four-star guard, ranked 53rd in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports Composite, committed to Ole Miss in June 2020
and signed with the Rebels last November. But the program’s first Mcdonald’s All-american, and its highest-ranked signee in history, still has some unfinished business to tend to before taking up residence inside the Pavilion.
The 5-foot-10 Ruffin is in Memphis this week, along with 25 of the top recruits in the country, to play in the Iverson Classic. The showcase event’s finale, which pits Team Loyalty versus Team Honor, is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at Bartlett High School. Suiting up for Team Honor, Ruffin will line up alongside a star-studded roster that includes Chet Holmgren (the No. 1 recruit in the country), G League Ignite-bound Michael Foster, Kentucky signee Daimion Collins and Memphis signee Josh Minott.
In front of at least one scout from all 30 NBA teams, players spent more than three hours working through various drills, learning plays and scrimmaging. Admittedly anxious to suit up for the Rebels, Ruffin was also eager to prove a few things to those inside the gymnasium at Streets Ministries. After all, the Iverson Classic is the first opportunity the top players in the country have had to show NBA personnel what they can do in-person in more than a year.
“It’s been a tough go around these past few months, not only just for me, but I’m pretty sure some of these other players, too,” Ruffin said. “I just want to stand out and be competitive (this week). Show I can play point guard, most of all.”
The last part is something Ruffin placed a particular emphasis on. For years, he said, the notion that he is a one-dimensional player has followed him around. Which isn’t overly surprising, considering he scored nearly 27 points a game to lead Callaway to the Class 5A title as a junior and averaged 32.5 in 10 games as a senior.
But there’s more to Ruffin’s game that he hopes to show off in Memphis.
“A lot of people think a 5-9 kid just brings scoring to the table,” Ruffin said. “I don’t feel like that’s the case. You put me around players that can make plays also, I feel like I can get them the ball. Most importantly, I’m just trying to showcase my leadership skills and my point guard skills. I feel like I made some great passes, some lobs (during Thursday’s activities). They didn’t finish some of them, but it’s all good. I still feel like I made the right plays, controlled the ball good and ran the plays, also.”
As for what comes after the Iverson Classic, Ruffin’s goals are simple.
“My goal is most definitely just to win – simple,” he said. “Long as it’s got to do with winning. I don’t want to predict anything or nothing like that. But I’m pretty sure, not only me, but my Rebel teammates, we’re all going to come out and compete every night.”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.