Carson High School’s Jayden DeJoseph signs with William Jessup

Jayden DeJoseph became the second Carson High basketball player to sign a national letter of intent with a four-year college.

DeJoseph, a 6-foot-5 forward, announced he’s attending William Jessup University, a Division 1 NAIA school near Sacramento next season.

Earlier this year, longtime friend and teammate Tez Allen signed with Division II Southern Oregon University.

DeJoseph chose William Jessup over Bellevue, a Division II NAIA school in Nebraska, Pima College in Arizona, and Umpqua Community College in Oregon.

Proximity to Nevada is the main reason why DeJoseph chose William Jessup.

“One thing I liked is that it’s far enough to get away from home and close enough I can go home for a weekend if needed,” he said. “I didn’t want to have to go all the way to Nebraska. That is a two-day drive (or a long plane ride).

“The campus is really nice. All the buildings are only 10 years old; pretty new. The gym is new and really nice. The old gym was pretty raggedy. The dorms are pretty nice.”

Carson coach Carlos Mendeguia liked DeJoseph’s choice.

“It’s a good fit for him,” the CHS coach said. “I think he is somebody who can go in and produce right away.

“It’s also close to home, so parents and family can come watch him play. It’s also close enough that he can go home for a visit if he gets homesick. The first year of college is always hard. It’s a great athletic and academic place for Jayden.”

DeJoseph, a double-figure scorer in his last two varsity seasons, has the ability to light up the scoreboard from long range. In his career at Carson, he always liked shooting from 3-point range.

“We heard about Jayden through the AAU circuit,” said Brad Rogers, WJU assistant coach. “We heard a lot of good things, and Jayden had the things we were looking for. We are looking for somebody who has the ability to knock down seven or eight 3s a game; a guy who can put the ball in the basket.

“He’s 6-5 with a good body for a freshman who can rebound and play inside or outside. I think he’ll be able to defend most positions certainly a 2 or 3 and maybe even a 4.”

DeJoseph, according to Rogers, is likely to redshirt his first season at WJU.

“We are looking at red-shirting him this year,” Rogers said. “It will allow him to get acclimated to college life and our program, and to get bigger. After watching him, we’ll be able to put him in a position to use his strengths.”

“They redshirt a lot of players,” DeJoseph said. “I remember playing against three or four redshirts when I visited there. It gives me another year of paid education, and I might be able to get my master’s in five years.”

DeJoseph said he would spend his first year getting stronger; working in the weightroom as well as improving his lateral movement which he will need if he’s expected to defend against shooting guards and small forwards.

DeJoseph said he wants to go into education and eventually teach, and he’s even considered being a coach. He helped Doug Whisler with the middle school boys and girls programs this season.