John Wesley "Snake" Deal (January 21, 1879 â May 9, 1944) was an American Major League Baseball first baseman and professional basketball player. He played half of one season for the Cincinnati Reds in . He also played professional basketball as a guard from 1899 to 1919 for various Pennsylvania teams in different leagues, such as the National Basketball League. He is the earliest recorded player to make use of the jump shot.