The subject of this week’s HoopMIA player spotlight is Miramar sophomore Deshawn Jean-Charles. He helped the Patriots claim the school’s first state title this season and established himself as one of the top players in South Florida. He averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds per game for an extremely well rounded and balanced Miramar squad. He discussed what winning a state title meant for him.

“Winning a state championship was a goal that I was set on achieving,” said Jean-Charles. “It is a goal that just made me continue to work. My goals now are to just stay focused on and off the court and to continue to keep working”

Miramar faced a grueling schedule throughout the season that prepared them for their playoff run which featured wins over Krop, Coral Gables, Western, Oak Ridge, and Seminole. Coach Tramaine Stevens has established the Patriots as one of the top programs in Florida and capturing the school’s first state championship is a testament to the hard working nature of their team. The Patriots will lose some key seniors like Citadel commit Brent Davis, but they return a talented core featuring Jean-Charles, Faheim Saintlegar Meran, and Khamaury McMillan. Coach Stevens talked about Deshawn’s ability and how he sees him developing in the future. 

“Deshawn is the most versatile player in the state! He is only going to get better,” said Stevens. “He can play 1 through 5 offensively, guard 1 through 5 defensively. He can be a scorer, a facilitator, a clean-up guy, and he can defend your best player. Deshawn will be one of the best all around players to put on a Miramar uniform.”

Jean-Charles is an impressive prospect that is still just only scratching the surface of his potential. He put his talent on display in a monster performance in the state title game vs Seminole. The 6-foot-6 sophomore had 25 points and 8 rebounds in the championship victory and was unstoppable on the state’s highest stage. Deshawn talked about his strengths on the court and what he is looking to improve. 

“My strengths are getting to the basket and being able to score from any level,” said Jean-Charles. “One of my strengths is the ability to get stops on defense. I am looking to get in the gym to get back in shape because of the virus and just work on my game.”

The COVID-19 virus has thrown the spring and summer basketball schedules into chaos. Deshawn played last summer with Team Breakdown and he was set to have a breakout summer in the travel circuit. Luckily he is a class of 2022 prospect and it will not affect him as much as the 2021 class and the 2020 unsigned seniors who are more in need of the live periods. He talked about his plans in this unsure offseason landscape.   

“I do not really know yet what is going to happen for travel basketball. No matter what, I am going to be with my head coach Tramaine Stevens working hard. My goals for summer is to continue to get looks to prove I am the best sophomore in the state along with teammate Fahiem Meran.”

Deshawn has a chance to be an elite prospect and has the work ethic to continue to improve and expand his game. He has become much better on the perimeter in the past year and his game is still maturing. He has already captured a state title and with two years left to play he seems destined to achieve an outstanding high school career. It will be fascinating to see what else he can accomplish and how high he can rise as a prospect and player.