ELLISVILLE – Jones College women's basketball has hired Jackson Delk as an assistant coach for coach Trista Magee Whitman's staff, the program announced Thursday afternoon.

"Coach JD is a skill development specialist and brings an incredible ability to recruit and foster relationships with players," Whitman said. "He brings a love for Jones College and excitement for our program being a former player and Ellisville native."

The ex-Bobcat guard and team captain will take on his first collegiate coaching job after brief stints at Petal, with the girls' program, and Laurel with the boys' basketball team. Delk was involved in scouting reports, skill work and game planning with both teams. 

Delk founded JD Training in 2024 where he's taught individual skill and shooting lessons to elementary, junior high, high school and college students.

Delk was with the Bobcats during the 2019-21 seasons. Jones was 20-7 and finished as region runner-up his freshman year before his sophomore season was cut short due to COVID-19. Off the court, Delk was named NJCAA All-Academic Third Team, Academic All-MACJC and Dean's List honoree.

He spent his final two seasons at Belhaven University where he was a two-time Dean's List, Academic All-ASC and Academic All-CCS selection. He graduated in 2023 with a degree in leadership and coaching and is currently pursuing his master's from Belhaven in secondary teaching. 

Delk played for Laurel and South Jones, averaging 12 points per game throughout his high school career. He was all-district in 2019, a scholar-athlete, won the first-ever Mike Turner Award and was seventh in the state in three-pointers and 10th in three-point percentage his senior year. He was also an MHSAA Scholar-Athlete. 

The Ellisville native has been involved in numerous community service projects over the past decade at Arlington Baptist University with homeless ministry, volunteered with We Will Go Ministries in Jackson, helped with South Jones Elementary's fall and spring festivals and has helped run basketball camps with Belhaven, South Jones, Jones and JD Training.