Hawks basketball player Jayce “JL” Branson earns 7 post-season honors

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Jayce “JL” Branson headshot

Freshman Jayce “JL” Branson had an outstanding 2025-2026 season with the HFC Men’s Basketball team.

The Hawks’ record for the season was 20-8. They won the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Eastern Conference Championship and the MCCAA State Championship. Of the 14 post-season awards and honors the team won, Branson won seven, including:

  • National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American
  • All-Region 12
  • All-MCCAA
  • MCCAA Eastern Conference Player of the Year
  • MCCAA Eastern Conference Freshman of the Year
  • MCCAA Eastern Conference All-Defensive Team
  • Great Lakes District All-Tournament Team

“I am honored to be named the MCCAA Eastern Conference Player of the Year and the MCCAA Eastern Conference Freshman of the Year. I am grateful to everyone who helped me get there. This is just the beginning. While I appreciate the recognition, I’ve still got more work to do,” said Branson, the 6-foot-4 guard.

Coach Chris Shepard is proud of Branson’s accomplishments.

"JL Branson had a great freshman year for us, earning honors as All-American and as Player of the Year in the Eastern Conference,” said Shepard. “He deserves all of the awards he received and will be even better as a sophomore next year. I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

11th HFC player named NJCAA All-American since 1959

Branson is the 11th basketball player in HFC history to be named an NJCAA All-American. He joins the following All-Americans:

“This marks the 11th Men's Basketball All-American in HFC history and the sixth in seven years. For context, the first Men's Basketball All-American at the College was in 1959, so to have six in the last seven years is an incredible feat!” said HFC Associate Athletic Director Kirk Bradley.

Branson is honored to have his name added to the short list.

“I am blessed and honored to be named an All-American,” he said. “None of this happens without my family, my coaches, and my teammates pushing me every day.”

Dreams of playing in the NBA and doing the work to achieve it

Born in Lansing, Branson is the youngest of six. He is a 2025 graduate of East Lansing High School, where he was a star athlete, who participated in basketball, football, track, and cross-country. Branson played varsity basketball all four years. During his senior year, ELHS became State Division 1 Basketball Champions.

Branson’s high school has a list of star athletes who went on to professional sports careers, including:

  • Ben Poquette, formerly of the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls
  • Steve Maidlow, formerly of the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals
  • Randy Kinder, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers
  • Brad Jones, formerly of the Green Bay Packers
  • Taylor Manson, 2020 Summer Olympics bronze medalist
  • Aaliyah Nye, of the Toronto Tempo in the WNBA
  • Drew Miller, formerly of the Detroit Red Wings
  • Ryan Miller (Drew’s older brother), formerly of the Anaheim Ducks and the Buffalo Sabres

Branson is honored to part of a school with this legacy.

“It’s a blessing for sure,” said Branson. “There’s a strong legacy at my high school, so I just focus on doing my part and adding to it the right way.”

Branson is attending HFC on a full-ride athletic scholarship and majoring in sports management. He will graduate from HFC in late 2027 and plans to transfer to a Division 1 school to continue his athletic career.

“I’m focused on earning it, not just saying it,” he said. “I’m working every day to get there.”

His ultimate goal is to play in the NBA.

“I’ve been playing basketball for as long as I can remember. Being in the NBA’s been my dream for as long as I can remember. I know it takes a lot, so I’m just focused on putting in the work every day,” he said.

The ultimate teammate

Branson spoke about why he chose to play basketball for the Hawks.

“When I visited, I knew HFC was the place for me. It felt like home,” he said. “I love playing for Coach Shep. He’s one of my favorite coaches.”

Although he’s grateful for the post-season accolades, Branson noted it was a team effort.

“I’m really thankful for the recognition, but this is a reflection of my team, my coaches, and my family,” said Branson. “It wouldn’t have happened without them.”

He’s looking forward to returning to the court for the 2026-27 season at HFC.

“I love that everyone around me wants to win. You can’t beat that,” said Branson.

Added Bradley: “JL is both a special player and a special person. He is the ultimate teammate and cares much more about his team’s success than any individual recognition he receives. We are excited to have him back for his sophomore season and we look forward to seeing what NCAA Division 1 school he chooses to attend.”