Any conversation with Jalen McFerren has to start with the shot—the McFerren Miracle. His half-court heave at the buzzer lifted Chico State to an 83–82 win over Cal State San Marcos on December 12, 2015, and instantly became part of Wildcat lore.

But McFerren’s career was about far more than one moment. By the time he graduated in 2018, he was the only Wildcat ever to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, and 100 steals.

Twice named First Team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), he helped lead Chico State to three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament appearances.

Now living in Seattle, McFerren (Business Administration, ’18) works as a regional account director for James Hardie, a leading national building materials company. He also holds real estate broker and general contractor licenses, managing development projects with his wife, Easton, who leads business development for a legal services firm.

Together, they recently created the McFerren Scholarship to support Chico State student-athletes. It’s a tribute to the opportunities the University provided and the people who supported McFerren during his playing years.

“Chico State opened up so many opportunities independent of basketball, and we wanted to pass those opportunities on to someone else by supporting their education,” he said.

The scholarship is available to student-athletes in all sports. That inclusive approach reflects McFerren’s selfless leadership, a quality former men’s basketball coach Greg Clink remembers well.

“Jalen was a phenomenal player but an even better person,” Clink said. “His commitment to giving back speaks volumes about who he is.”

As a student-athlete, McFerren stood out on the court and around campus. Today, he continues to lead by example—building a successful career, giving back to his community, and making sure future Wildcats have every chance to thrive.