Bucks Zone

Yakima College honors MarJon Beauchamp with jersey retirement

The Milwaukee Bucks forward left a lasting legacy with the Yaks.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

MarJon Beauchamp was honored by Yakima Valley Community College by having his jersey number immortalized. YVC retired Beauchamp’s jersey No. 13, making the 6-foot-7 forward the first player in the school’s history to have his jersey retired.

Beauchamp, the 24th pick of the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2022 NBA Draft, played for the Yaks in the 2020-21 NWAC basketball season.

Stellar run with the Yaks

One of Beauchamp’s best games with the Yaks was during the team’s 106-107 loss to the Treasure Valley, where he erupted for 50 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Yakima native played 12 games as a freshman and averaged 30.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. In that stellar run with the Yaks, Beauchamp ended up leading the Northwest Athletic Conference in scoring.

Beauchamp looks back

Per a report by SWX Sports, Beauchamp’s family and relatives were in attendance during the ceremony held at the Sherar Gymnasium.

In his speech, the incoming NBA sophomore looked back at his days with the Yaks.

"I made it out, and it was a journey," Beauchamp said. "I just remember the hard and the days I didn't believe, and I'm just thankful for those days. When I [saw] those jerseys, it had a part of me, a part of my journey, so [I'm] very thankful, very humbled, and I just want to keep going.”

After his short stint with the Yaks, Beauchamp signed with the NBA G-League Ignite.

"I'm a warrior," Beauchamp explained. "I fight through the battles, and I'm strong and mentally. I didn't have to be down on myself during those times, looking back. It humbled me."

YVC athletic director Ray Funk and head men's basketball coach London Wilson attended the ceremony, where they shared the impact that Beauchamp had on the school’s program. Also present at the ceremony was YVC President Linda Kaminski, who read a proclamation to certify the retirement of Beauchamp's jersey.

Published
Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.