Deacon Judd: Setting the standard for Oswego men’s basketball
After making an immediate impact in his first two seasons, Oswego State men’s basketball junior forward Deacon Judd is looking to lead the Lakers’ back to the SUNYAC championship.
When Deacon Judd first arrived in the port city, he was surrounded by experienced players who helped show him what it takes to compete at the collegiate level. Now entering his junior season, the Utica native is looking to return that same guidance to a younger group of Lakers.
Judd has already made his mark in the green and gold, as he became the first player in SUNYAC history to earn both SUNYAC Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors in the same season during the 2024-25 campaign. He followed that performance with another strong showing in 2025-26, averaging 18.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while earning his second consecutive First Team All-SUNYAC selection.
Despite the individual success, Judd’s mind remains in one place and one place only:
“The only goal on the list is a SUNYAC championship.”
Getting back on the court this season required some patience. During the offseason, Judd underwent surgery for a meniscus tear in his knee, forcing him to spend time away from basketball. Rather than rushing his return, though, he made his recovery the priority.
“This past offseason, I had surgery on my knee for my meniscus tear, so I was sidelined for a little bit,” Judd said. “But I made sure to lock in on my recovery, made sure to do what I needed to do, and waited the correct amount of time to return so now I’m 100%.”
Judd’s development into one of the SUNYAC’s top players has been shaped by several people throughout his basketball career. He pointed to his father, who first introduced him to the game, as one of his biggest influences. He also credited his uncle, his high school coaches and a trainer who works for the Los Angeles Clippers as mentors that helped him become the high-caliber player he is now.
While the physical work is important, Judd understands that staying mentally prepared is just as necessary during a long season. With practices, games and the responsibilities that come with being a student-athlete, he makes an effort to step away from basketball when he needs to.
“The biggest thing, especially mentally, is being able to take a little bit,” Judd said. “No basketball, no nothing — just take a little bit for yourself, whether that’s with your friends or alone.”
That approach to preparation also carries into his everyday routine. Judd likes to organize his responsibilities before the day gets underway, setting out what he needs to accomplish and working through each task.
As an upperclassman, he is also taking a more active role in helping younger teammates adjust to the program. With new freshmen and transfers joining the roster, Judd wants to make sure everyone understands the expectations while feeling welcomed.
“I think what I’m trying to do is set a standard,” Judd said. “The younger kids coming in — whether it be transfers or freshmen — they know what is expected of them and they know what to do on a daily basis.”
That leadership role has developed over his first two seasons. As a freshman, Judd focused on learning from the older players around him. By his sophomore year, he began taking on more responsibility and became someone teammates could turn to for guidance.
“Freshman year, I was trying to be a sponge by learning as much as I could,” Judd said. “Last year, I took a step forward, leadership-wise.”
Building chemistry with the younger players does not stop when the team leaves the gym. Judd said the group stays connected through summer camps, phone calls and text messages, helping maintain relationships before the season begins.
Ultimately, Judd hopes his impact at Oswego will be measured by more than what he accomplishes on the basketball court. When his playing career is over, he wants teammates and people around the program to remember the type of person he was.
“I hope people look back and say I was a hard worker, I was dedicated and that I was a nice person — someone that people could go to if they needed help or to talk to,” Judd said.
With two successful seasons already behind him, Judd enters his junior year with a different responsibility. He is no longer just learning the standard set by those before him, he is working to establish one of his own with a SUNYAC championship firmly in sight. Judd and the Lakers will begin that push tonight, with a showdown against Trine University in the Bill Sudeck Tournament set for Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.
