Ole Miss basketball & Chris Beard add ‘electric’ 2026 commit via ‘trust’ in the staff and program

The first 2026 commit for Ole Miss is on the board.

Zach Berry — College Football Trending News Writer
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Mar 28, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Chris Beard in the second half of a South Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament against the Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Arena.
Mar 28, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Chris Beard in the second half of a South Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament against the Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Arena. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Ole Miss basketball and head coach Chris Beard add its first 2026 commit Wednesday – landing Wheeler (Ga.) small forward Jaron Saulsberry.

Rivals’ Joe Tipton was the first to report the news for the Rebels. He spoke with Saulsberry prior to the announcement about why he chose Ole Miss.

“I chose Ole Miss because they saw through jealousy and hatred throughout my career and honestly  they just stuck with me through the hard times, not just the good. I really feel like they see my potential and what I can be. Therefore I trust them with my college career.”

Jaron Saulsberry described his game for Ole Miss fans.

“My game is fast, explosive, and full of energy. I like to play with intensity and use my athleticism to make plays that change the momentum, whether that’s getting a big bucket, flying in for a dunk, or just bringing energy on defense.”

Also during his conversation with Tipton, he gave a shout out to the fans and what to expect from him moving forward.

“Rebel Nation, I’m ready to bring the energy and put on for y’all every night. I’m coming to compete, bring the excitement, and make Oxford the place to be for the next upcoming season.”

After a solid junior campaign, new Ole Miss commit Jaron Saulsberry looks to build his game.

The 6-foot-6, 180 pound prospect is ranked as the No. 157 overall player in the 2026 class, according to Rivals Industry Ranking. He’s also the No. 46 small forward and No. 10 player in the state of Georgia.

Saulsberry chose the Rebels over other notable offers from Georgia Tech and Florida State. 247Sports’ Travis Branham saw Saulsberry earlier this year in an AAU tournament. He came away impressed with his ability to play above the rim and explosiveness.

“Saulsberry’s athleticism was eye-popping but he also splashed a few jumpers from mid-range and from behind the arc,” Branham said. “Saulsberry finished with 22 points, drilling 3 of his 6 attempts from three.”

Chris Beard’s Ole Miss resume

  • 44-24 record overall
  • Back-to-back 20+ win seasons
  • Sweet 16 appearance in 2024-2025 season
  • 18th overall signing class in 2025, four 4-star signees, three Top 100 prospects

Ole Miss signed a Top 20 recruiting class in 2025.

The Rebels landed three Top 100 prospects and one of the best players in France. The class spans from Florida to Texas to Georgia to Ohio. Chris Beard has been dynamite since arriving in Oxford amid controversy from his firing at Texas.

But, he has pushed all the right buttons for an Ole Miss program which was in search of anything and anyone to rebuild it. Now, in year three, he is fresh off a Sweet 16 appearance and has already rebuilt his roster via the recruiting trail and the transfer portal.

Ole Miss welcomes seven transfers – including three four-star transfers. It’s only up from here for Ole Miss and Beard. Athletics director Keith Carter held off Arkansas two years ago and Texas A&M last year. For now, at least, it would appear Beard is here to stay for Ole Miss.

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