Things are really coming together for Pinewood junior Jalen Slawson.
Through the first 19 games of the season, the 6-foot, 7-inch small forward led the Pinewood Boys varsity basketball team in scoring and was named to the All-tournament teams for both the Roundball Classic and BSN Queen City Clash tournaments. Slawson is averaging 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. In the first 19 games, he hit 34 shots from behind the three-point arc for a 33 percent average from that range.
The Panthers have battled key injuries this season, but with Slawson leading the way the team got out to a 12-7 start and is expected to be a SCISA state-title contender. Pinewood coach Pat Eidson is hoping Slawson’s best performances are still ahead of him.
“Jalen has so much upside,” Eidson said. “His length makes him special and he is still growing, plus he has good ball-handling skills and perimeter skills. He could go off the chart if he grows two more inches so he is a potential D1 player. A lot of schools have shown interest in him.”
Slawson comes from a basketball family. His father played for The Citadel and his cousin, RJ Slawson, is a former Fort Dorchester standout who played for the University of South Carolina.
The Panther junior said his family and coaches for both Pinewood and the TMP AAU basketball program have been key to his development and recent success.
“There is just a great group of guys at Pinewood,” he said. “When you have those type of teammates and coaches they make everything easy. I just go with the flow and everything comes. All we have to do is keep playing together and trust the coaches and the process. It’s the same way with my TMP team. Coach (Antoine) Saunders and Coach JP (John Pearson) are great and everyone on the team pushes each other so we all benefit.”
Slawson’s shooting skills make him valuable on the perimeter but when the Panthers need a replacement or extra post player they often turn to him. His ability to post up has certainly come in handy this season, which is just fine with him.
“Wherever they need me that night,” he said. “You have to match the other team’s players so whatever the coaches feel I need to do, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Slawson is a three-year letterman for the Pinewood basketball and football programs. As a wide receiver this year, he had 23 receptions for 339 yards and four touchdowns. As a defensive end, he made 49 tackles, including 28 solo stops, two sacks and seven tackles for a loss. He was also a member of the Pinewood state runner-up football team last school year.
Slawson is also active in the community. After an elderly women’s home was damaged by flooding earlier this year, he and some teammates got together and helped repair the house.
“He is a fun teammate and a quality kid,” Eidson said. “He has high standards for himself and good grades.”
