Michigan point guard to enter transfer portal mid-season

Michigan basketball’s Zeb Jackson will enter the transfer portal, according to Jake Weingarten.

Jackson, a former top-100 recruit, will definitely draw Power Five interest and is still a major upside prospect, according to Weingarten. Before committing to Michigan in 2020, the sophomore was receiving interest from the likes of Purdue, Iowa State, Michigan State, Illinois and Dayton.

“I want to start off by thanking the University of Michigan for allowing me to represent the university for the past two years,” Jackson wrote. “I really appreciate all of my coaches, teammates, mentors and professors for taking care of me during my time here. I would also like to thank everyone who’s been checking on me and sending prayers my way. After the time I have taken away, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal because I feel that’s what’s best for my future and my health. Again, thank you to everyone who supports me and my decision. I wish the best for my family here.”

The 6-foot-5 product of Montverde Academy was the No. 85 overall recruit in the 2020 class, according to the On3 consensus ranking system, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was also the No. 19 rated point guard and No. 11 player in the state of Florida.

Jackson spent his first three years of high school at Maumee Valley Country Day in Toledo, Ohio, but transferred to Montverde for his senior season. While at Montverde, he helped his team to a 25-0 record and No. 1 prep ranking before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. Montverde was declared the prep national champions that season.

He scored 1,605 points during his high school career, averaging 25.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.7 steals per game.

Jackson averaged just under nine minutes in four games played this season for Michigan. He averaged 3.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game during the limited action he’s seen during the 2021-22 season.

He scored a career-high eight points against Southern Utah on Dec. 18, but had not been in the lineup since. Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard said he hadn’t spoken to Jackson when asked for an update on his status last week during a press conference.

While he’s missed quite a few games this season due to unspecified personal reasons, Jackson will hope to put those issues aside while focusing on where he will end up next semester.

Jackson has four years of eligibility left in his college career.