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DeJaylen Campbell had a career to remember at Troup. The senior point guard helped turn around the entire boy’s basketball team at Troup High during his time in blue and gold.

“It was great to help make some history at the school,” Campbell said. “There were a lot of people doubting whether we could turn it around, so it meant a lot to make some history for Troup.

“It meant a lot to put on that jersey. I always looked up to some of the older guys who went to Troup when I was in middle school, hoping they could be me one day,” he added.

The Tigers had not made the playoffs since 2020 when Campbell helped guide the team to a region runner-up finish and a trip to the state playoffs in his junior season (2024).

Campbell, never the biggest player on the court, consistently excelled leading the Troup offense. All four years at Troup, Campbell was the team’s point guard.

Whether it was hitting an acrobatic shot in the paint, drilling a 3-pointer, or dishing out a picture-perfect dime to a teammate, Campbell always came through with the right play on offense. 

“There is always pressure, but it is all about just being in the moment and not worrying about what comes before or after,” Campbell said. 

The senior had seen it all during his four years as a Tiger. The team struggled to find stability in the first couple of years as he had three different head coaches in his first three years. Vacher Hammett taking over as head coach heading into Campbell’s junior year helped unlock a new level to his game as the two were able to build on pre-existing chemistry.

“Coach Hammett coming in was just what I needed,” Campbell said. “He was my middle school coach, so I knew how he wanted me to play and he knew how I played the game.”

Campbell, already a leader for the team, was challenged by Hammett to elevate his leadership to a new level when he took over as head coach.

“One thing that helped a lot with that was the fact that I was playing with a lot of the same guys that I’ve been playing with for years, it was just about helping to build even more team chemistry,” he said. 

Walking off the court as a Tiger for the final time earlier this month hurt in a way that Campbell had never felt before, this is far from the last you’ll hear from him on a basketball court. While he doesn’t know his collegiate destination yet, it’s only a matter of time before he signs to the next level.

“I’ve been talking with a few college coaches lately and it is really about trying to find what is the best fit for me,” he said.