Hall of Fame
A dynamic guard and one of the most efficient scorers in program history, Jordan Beard '09 made his mark as a four-year starter for the Oberlin College men's basketball team while majoring in sociology.
The Oberlin native amassed 1,160 career points and graduated from the program with multiple records and conference-leading performances. He twice led the North Coast Athletic Conference in free-throw percentage, shooting .889 (64-72) in 2006-07 and .878 (43-49) in 2007-08, and led the league in three-pointers made in 2006-07 with 60 triples (2.4 per game).
Beard's senior campaign in 2008-09 stands among the greatest individual seasons in Oberlin men's basketball history. Despite the team finishing last in the conference, he earned First-Team All-NCAC honors, a testament to his remarkable efficiency and impact. He averaged one of the top scoring marks in the league while shooting 51% from the field, 47.5% from three-point range, and 88.2% from the free-throw line—numbers that ranked among the best in all of Division III. That year, he set the Oberlin single-season record for made three-pointers (75) while attempting fewer shots than many of the program's all-time leaders.
A focal point of every opponent's game plan, Beard's ability to excel under constant defensive pressure showcased his skill, leadership, and resilience. His senior season not only redefined efficiency for Oberlin basketball but also solidified his place among the program's all-time greats.
After graduating, Beard played one season for the Ohio Racers of the Universal Basketball Association and earned an invitation to training camp with the Cleveland Cavaliers' NBDL team, now known as the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. He is currently a Basketball Skills and Player Development Coach with The National Basketball Academy (Cleveland–West).
Beard continues to call Oberlin home, where he lives with his wife Tiara and their three children—JoJo, Nova, and Nyla.
