Scott, Fort Both Ready To Help Bulldogs
July 16, 2023 | Men's Basketball, Joel Coleman
MSU’s additions from the junior college ranks excited to provide more firepower and depth for Chris Jans’ team.
STARKVILLE – Down the stretch of last season, as Mississippi State was red hot and making its run to the NCAA Tournament, Trey Fort's eyes were glued to the Bulldogs. He knew that soon, he would also be wearing the Maroon and White. He was rooting on State and noticing spots he'd be able to contribute upon his arrival to Starkville.
"I was locked in on the games," Fort recalled following a recent practice session. "I was thinking, 'OK. I see this. I see that. I can help right here. I can help right there.' I was watching everything for sure."
Well, there's no more sitting back and watching for Fort or fellow junior college transfer Jaquan Scott. Both are now a few weeks into their Bulldog careers and are developing and learning MSU head coach Chris Jans' system. Each guy believes he has the capability to pitch in and do his part to make the Bulldogs even better in 2023-24 than they were a season ago.
"I feel like everybody on this team are dogs," Scott said. "We all want it. Once we all lock in and buy in for the mission, we got it."
The tools in the toolboxes of Fort and Scott should certainly aid in pushing the Dawgs towards, and hopefully up, the March mountain.
Fort, a 6-foot-4 guard, brings with him a track record of being a highly productive offensive player. At Howard College last year, Fort racked up an eye-popping 24.9 points per game to go along with 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and nearly a steal per contest. He earned an NJCAA All-America accolade in the process.
Jans said the big question upon Fort's arrival at State is just whether or not all his production will translate to the ultra-tough Southeastern Conference.
"All new players, for the most part, have that hurdle to overcome," Jans said. "We are hopeful that [Fort] will.
"His numbers jump off the page at you. He shot over 40 percent for three and over 45 percent from the field, and he's coming from a [junior college] league that I have coached in. There are good coaches and there are good players [in that league]. Everyone knows going into the game they are trying to stop [guys like] Trey Fort, and he still was able to overcome being a marked man. He was still able to put up those offensive numbers…It was important for us to improve our scoring and shooting, and Trey is one of the leading candidates to be able to do that for us."
If Fort's offensive firepower continues to be potent at MSU and if he can rebound and defend the way Jans demands, it's easy to see him quickly becoming a key piece for the Bulldogs.
For his part, Fort is totally committed to improving on the defensive end so that he can fully display to the MSU family how talented he is.
"I can score from all three levels," Fort said. "I can shoot the ball at a very high level from anywhere on the floor from deep or midrange. I can get to the hole. I'm a great scorer. I can also make plays for others because of my scoring. I'm going to draw a lot of [defensive attention] and be able to get others open shots and get them in their rhythm as well."
Time will tell how quickly Fort can get in a groove in Starkville, but the sky is the limit for him when he does. Much the same can be said for Scott.
The 6-foot-8 forward who played the last two years at Salt Lake Community College in Utah has eyes on giving the Dawgs good minutes in the year ahead, however he admits there's plenty of work to do before then. That's all he's focused on now.
"It's just slowly adjusting from [junior college] to everything here," Scott said. "It's a different speed of everything and even like from a listening standpoint – you really have to listen and engage on everything Coach is saying. You have to be technical and listen to detail."
Like Fort, a well-adjusted Scott would certainly be a boon for the Bulldogs. Scott averaged a double-double last year at Salt Lake, racking up 16.8 points and 10 boards a game. He had double-doubles in 13 of his 21 contests. On three of those occasions, he eclipsed the 20-point mark.
The incredibly impressive stats show how Scott stands to be a versatile weapon for MSU both this year and beyond.
"Jaquan Scott is someone that we have known for a long time," Jans said. "He's a traditional four man. He's a power forward who can stretch the defense. He can shoot the ball from the perimeter. He's equally comfortable in the mid-post area. He's got really good skill. He can dribble, pass and shoot. He's got a great basketball body.
"He is just going to have to learn how to be a part of a successful basketball team. A guy like that who has always been a primary scorer for his teams all the way up from high school to junior college, he probably needs to understand the adjustment he has to make is that he's walking in the door on a team that's returning many players…Hopefully realize the following year will be a bigger chance to have a bigger role. He's very talented."
This year, next year or whenever Scott is on the floor, he says State fans can expect to see him do a little bit of everything.
"I bring energy," Scott said. "I crash the boards and shoot the open shot. I can make my own shot. I get my teammates involved and score off the dribble. I try to be able to do everything so that I'm not one-dimensional. I really do a lot."
Scott insists he's not worried about having to put his head down and work to earn the chance to play. That's a big part of why he decided to come to State to begin with and play under a head coach with similar traits.
Remember, Jans got his coaching start as an assistant at the Division III and NAIA levels ahead of his first head coaching opportunity in the junior college ranks. Jans earned his way up the coaching ladder and Scott intends to do the same on the court.
"I'm a dog," Scott said. "I like to get after it and compete. Jans is the same way. He's a dog…[The coaches] have just been trusting me and really rooting for me. So, why not [make an impact at Mississippi State]?"
MSU certainly gives Fort and Scott the biggest stage they've ever had in their basketball careers. Neither plans on letting the opportunity slip by them.
Now on a team with aspirations to be back in the March Madness mix, Fort and Scott are committed to doing their parts to get dancing shoes back on the Dawgs while at the same time, showing they belong.
Perhaps Fort sums it up best for both he and Scott.
"I think about it a lot just being able to be at this level and be able to finally play and showcase what I can bring," Fort said. "It's hard to put into words, but I'm excited for sure."