Jakobi Heady, a standout for Bethune-Cookman and Central Michigan, has received a tryout with the Orlando Magic after his HBCU career turned him into one of the SWAC’s most consistent scorers.
Jakobi Heady’s basketball story just took an unexpected turn—one that starts far from the usual NBA pipeline and ends with an opportunity many players only dream about.
Bethune-Cookman announced that Heady has received a tryout with the Orlando Magic in a statement shared through the school’s social media accounts. For an HBCU alumnus who spent his college years building a reputation as a scorer and a steady presence in the Wildcats’ lineup. the invitation is the kind of reward that changes a life overnight.
Heady’s rise began at Wabash Valley College, where he steadily developed into one of the program’s top performers. During his freshman season in 2021-22, he appeared in 29 games and made 24 starts, averaging 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per contest. The following year, he took a major leap: he started 28 of 30 games and averaged 18.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He also shot 47.6% from the field, 33.8% from three-point range, and 84.8% from the free-throw line, earning all-conference honors.
From there. Heady transferred to Bethune-Cookman for his junior season and immediately became one of the Wildcats’ most reliable offensive weapons. He started 33 of 34 games, led the team in scoring at 15.4 points per game, and added 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists. His shooting stayed sharp—47.9% from the field, 32.3% from beyond the arc, and 75.6% from the free-throw line.
The production wasn’t just about points. Heady led Bethune-Cookman in offensive rebounds and free-throw attempts, while recording 12 multi-steal performances. Some of his best nights arrived in moments that made the Wildcats’ offense feel built around him—like a 25-point. five-steal performance against Trinity Baptist in November. He followed that with another 25-point effort against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in January. In February, he delivered a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double against Alabama State. Even against Florida A&M, he scored 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting in a win.
After leaving Bethune-Cookman. Heady moved to Central Michigan University for his senior season and kept that same pattern of steady output. He appeared in 31 games with 26 starts, leading the Chippewas with 466 points and 203 rebounds. Across the year, he averaged 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while logging more than 36 minutes per game. His top performance came against Ohio, when he erupted for a career-high 35 points and added five rebounds. He also recorded multiple double-doubles, including a 13-point, 13-rebound outing against Minnesota, plus a pair of double-doubles against Buffalo. He finished the season shooting 42.3% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line.
For his final season of eligibility, Heady returned to Bethune-Cookman for the 2025-26 campaign. It was the most efficient season of his collegiate career, with averages of 18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He shot better than 52% from the field and 41% from three-point range. strengthening his case as one of the top players in the SWAC and capping a college run that stretched across multiple programs.
Those numbers and that résumé now collide with a different stage. Heady has the chance to join an Orlando Magic team that has shown signs of movement toward the next level after playoff success over the past couple of seasons. while still searching for what it takes to become a true championship contender.
For Heady, the tryout is more than a new jersey and a new gym. It’s the culmination of a long path—from Wabash Valley development. to Bethune-Cookman leadership as a scorer and rebounder. to a productive final season that carried him back to the Wildcats—now arriving as an opening with one of the NBA’s NBA franchises.
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