Blake Nettles takes another step: JSU
Another Step: Blake Nettles Faces His Biggest Challenge Yet at Jackson State
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For most players, winning a state championship would be the defining moment of a career.
For Blake Nettles, it may have only been the beginning.
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After an unforgettable senior season that cemented his place among Mississippi basketball’s elite, Nettles enters the next chapter of his journey as a freshman at Jackson State University. The former Pascagoula star accomplished nearly everything a high school player could hope to achieve. He emerged as Mississippi’s top player, captured the prestigious 6A Mr. Basketball award, and led his school to its first state basketball championship in program history.
Now comes the difficult part.
College basketball.
The transition from high school to the collegiate level has humbled countless stars before him. The game is faster. The players are stronger. The competition is deeper. Every athlete on the floor was once the best player on their high school team.
The question many are asking is simple:
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Can Blake Nettles’ game translate to the next level?
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At Jackson State, Nettles won’t be facing players who are simply trying to make varsity rosters. He’ll be competing against experienced college veterans who have spent years developing their bodies and understanding the speed of the college game. Every possession will demand more focus, more discipline, and more consistency.
But as Nettles prepares for life in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), exciting changes are taking place around the Jackson State program.
Recently, NBA legend Kendrick Perkins was hired as the men’s basketball General Manager, a move that has generated significant buzz throughout the HBCU basketball community. Perkins brings years of professional basketball experience, national exposure, and a powerful network that could help elevate the Tigers’ program to new heights.
Sources indicate Perkins will also play a role in helping build the school’s NIL opportunities and overall basketball brand. If successful, the move could have a lasting impact not only on Jackson State, but on the entire SWAC and HBCU basketball landscape.
For years, HBCU programs have battled to keep top talent from leaving for larger conferences. Many believe Jackson State’s aggressive approach to branding, recruiting, and NIL development could help change that narrative.
And if those changes materialize, Blake Nettles could be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
As one of the most accomplished freshmen entering the program, Nettles arrives at a time when Jackson State appears committed to raising its profile nationally. Increased exposure, stronger NIL opportunities, and a growing brand could provide student-athletes with opportunities that previous generations may not have had.
Of course, none of that will matter if the work on the court doesn’t continue.
The challenge ahead for Nettles isn’t about proving he was a great high school player. He’s already done that.
The challenge now is proving he can become a great college player.
If his high school career taught basketball fans anything, it’s that betting against Blake Nettles has rarely been a good idea. Time after time, he answered every question, met every challenge, and delivered when the stakes were highest.
Now another challenge awaits.
And once again, all eyes will be on Blake Nettles to see if he can take the next step.
