The McFerren Miracle Lives On: Chico State Legend Gives Back to Future Wildcats – Chico State Today
Jalen McFerren and his wife Easton establish Scholarship to Support Chico State Student-Athletes
Any conversation with Jalen McFerren has to start with the shot…The McFerren Miracle. The heave from beyond half-court that went in at the buzzer and rescued an 83-82 win over Cal State San Marcos on December 12, 2015.
In the aftermath, McFerren raced around a frenetic Acker Gym while being mobbed by teammates. By the time he got back to the locker room, his phone was already dead from the buzzing of hundreds of texts from friends back in the Bay Area, former AAU teammates, classmates, and beyond.
“I’ve been a part of some crazy endings, but that one was about as wild as I’ve ever seen,” said former Chico State men’s basketball head coach Greg Clink.
For the fans, students and teammates lucky enough to be there, it’s a moment they’ll never forget. For McFerren, who was just a sophomore when he became a permanent part of Chico State basketball lore, he was just getting started.
By the time he graduated in 2018 with his bachelors in business administration, McFerren was the only Wildcat ever to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, and 100 steals in his career. He was twice named First Team All-CCAA (2017 and 2018) and an honorable mention selection in 2016 while being a part of three NCAA tournament teams, including the 2016-17 team that won the West Regional.
Even in a program known for great point guards, McFerren stood out. One of only three true freshmen to play instead of redshirt for Clink, he was extremely quick with the ball in his hands and a knockdown shooter (career 41.9% from 3-point range) who could score at all three levels. Clink called him a great defender and the best rebounding guard he’s coached at Chico State.
Now, nearly a decade later, McFerren and his wife Easton are finding a new way to leave a mark on Chico State with the establishment of the McFerren Scholarship for student-athletes.
“We believe in accessible education for all and want to invest in making that possible for anyone who is pursuing knowledge,” said Easton McFerren, who graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in legal studies.
Jalen and Easton met while both working in downtown San Francisco, got married in 2020, and have since relocated to Seattle. Jalen now works as a regional account director for James Hardie, the nation’s leading manufacturer of siding, and also holds real estate broker and general contractor licenses, which he uses to manage real estate projects. Easton is a business development manager for Paragon Legal, helping clients across the West Coast ensure their legal departments are fully staffed.
“We’ve been blessed enough to be able to give back,” McFerren said. “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.”
Clink said McFerren’s commitment is rare for someone so young, but also not surprising.
“This is the second player I’ve coached who has started a named scholarship (Chris Sharp was the first), and it sets a great example for guys in the future,” Clink said. “It shows that when you have a great experience at a place, you don’t just talk about giving back—you actually do it. For Jalen to be where he’s at in life and making this kind of commitment says everything about the impact Chico State had on him.”
Over the course of their relationship, Jalen has introduced Easton into the tight-knit brotherhood of Chico State men’s basketball alumni. Through reconnecting at weddings and keeping up with each other on social media, she quickly came to see the sense of community being part of the program created.
Chris Cobb, then an assistant coach, recruited McFerren, who got his first taste of the Chico State community during his official visit. As a three-time All-Hayward Area Athletic League selection and member of the prestigious Team Lillard AAU program, he had plenty of scholarship offers. He and his father spent three nights in Chico and took in all the University and basketball program had to offer. He was ready to commit by the time they got in the car to head home.
“I was truly impressed by both the team and the community. The small-town atmosphere was refreshing; my parents were able to come to every game and enjoy the experience just as much as I did. There was a genuine sense of unity and support among everyone.
“I spent a lot of time with Coach Clink and he became a mentor. He didn’t just talk about Xs and Os and basketball. He was more focused on ensuring we were preparing for the rest of our lives. Over the years, I spent most of the summer in Chico. I stayed to take advantage of as many opportunities as I could,” he said.
McFerren did just that. He was part of the athletic department’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and a member of the Black Student Union. He worked in the Office of Accessible Technology & Services (now called Technology Equity and Inclusion).
During his time as a student-athlete, McFerren played under the Gregg and Phyllis Berryman Men’s Basketball Scholarship and developed a close relationship with the Berrymans.
“We’d have dinners, they’d text me from time to time, and they were just really authentic people. They were just always happy to see me and showed me a lot of love,” he said. “It was a great example of what a scholarship can be, and it made me want to focus on creating that same kind of support for others.”
That vision is reflected in the McFerren Scholarship. Rather than limiting the award to men’s basketball players, Jalen and Easton decided to open it to all student-athletes, giving the athletics department the flexibility to direct the support where it’s needed most.
“I know I can connect with basketball players, but I want to be open to different experiences and support athletes from different walks of life,” he said.
For Clink, McFerren’s willingness to look beyond his own sport reflects the same selflessness that defined him as a leader on the court.
“He is just a great human being—very generous, a great leader for us, and a great teammate. He was a phenomenal point guard, but even a better person. You couldn’t ask for a better representative of our program,” said Clink.
Even now, when McFerren meets someone new, his Chico State basketball career eventually comes up. He never mentions any accolades but instead talks about how much he loved being a Wildcat and the relationships he built on campus. Inevitably, though, someone Googles him and asks about the shot. McFerren smiles, knowing it’s still part of his story— but now, he is adding to his legacy by helping future Wildcats realize their own dreams.
(Fans and alumni can also support Chico State student-athletes across all sports through the annual Back the Cats campaign, which runs through September 19. Your gift supports scholarships, academic success, and the programs that help more than 350 student-athletes excel in competition, the classroom, and the community).
Andrew focuses on enhancing the University’s brand reputation, managing crisis communications and proactively telling the Chico State story. He earned his BA in Journalism from Chico State in 2000.
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