NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — JaShawn “JJ” Andrews, a rising star who is one of the top basketball players nationally in the Class of 2026, has ties to Rowan County.

Andrews is a 5-star shooting guard who has grown to 6-foot-6, 220 pounds. He’s rated as the No. 1 player in his class in Arkansas. He’s ranked as the No. 5 shooting guard in his class nationally and as a top 20 player overall.

Andrews’ mother is Janetta Heggins Andrews, a Salisbury-Rowan Hall of Famer who starred in three sports at South Rowan and played basketball at Western Carolina.

Andrews is married to Shawn Andrews, a former All-America offensive lineman at Arkansas who played seven seasons in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants and made two Pro Bowls. He’s in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Andrews was one of the leaders for the team that won the recent Nike EYBL Peach Jam held in North Augusta, S.C. He led his Little Rock Christian Academy high school team to state championships as a freshman and sophomore.

A strong student, Andrews was offered by Marquette last week. He’s been offered by N.C. State. Most of his high-profile offers have come from the SEC — Missouri, Ole Miss, LSU and new SEC member Oklahoma.

He obviously has a big future, and while it’s hard to project a 16-year-old as a potential NBA draft pick, he is on the right track.