GG Jackson: A look at the last decade of top-ranked players who reclassified

Since On3 broke the news of 2023 No. 1 overall GG Jackson looking to reclassify into the 2022 class, the internet has been buzzing. Not only would Jackson become North Carolina’s first modern-era player to decommit to go to another school, but GG Jackson would also graduate early to enter school ahead of schedule.

Of course, On3 had a desire to check precedence. We took a look over the past ten years at other top-rated prospects, like GG Jackson, who enrolled in college a year early

Karl-Anthony Towns

After committing to Kentucky as a sophomore, Karl-Anthony Towns quickly reclassified into the 2014 class. The 6-foot-11 post played just one season in Lexington during Calipari’s famed platoon season. Towns was first-team All-SEC after averaging 10.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

Towns was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Jamal Murray

Jamal Murray simultaneously announced his commitment to Kentucky and his reclassification to the 2015 class. The 6-foot-5 guard from Ontario, Canada, went on to average 20.0 points per game and be named first-team All-SEC in his lone college season.

Murray was the No. 7 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Jalen Duren

Jalen Duren was originally the No. 1 player in the 2022 draft, and after his standout performance at Peach Jam, he announced he would enter Memphis a year early. Duren averaged 12.0 points and was named first-team All-AAC in his lone college season.

Duren was the No. 13 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.

Andrew Wiggins

Originally part of the 2014 class, Andrew Wiggins reclassified to become a 2013 high school graduate. The 6-foot-8 wing committed to Kansas and averaged 17.1 points en route to being named first-team All-Big 12 in his lone college season.

Wiggins was the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Noah Vonleh

Noah Vonleah committed to Indiana after reclassifying into the 2013 class. During his lone season in Bloomington, Vonleah averaged 11.3 points and 9.0 rebounds and was named Big Ten Rookie of the Year.

Vonleah was the No. 9 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Andre Drummond

The top prospect in 2012, Andre Drummond, was committed to UConn when he decided to enroll as a part of the 2011 class. Drummond went on to average 10.0 points and 7.6 rebounds during his lone season in Storrs.

Drummond was the No. 9 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft

RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett was the No. 1 ranked player in the 2019 class when he decided to reclassify into the 2018 class. Barrett later chose to go to Duke, along with Zion Williamson, Joey Baker, and Cam Reddish. Barrett averaged 22.6 points during his lone season with the Blue Devils. The Ontario, Canada native was also named first-team All-ACC.

Barrett was the No. 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Shaedon Sharpe

Shaedon Sharpe may be the most peculiar case on this list; however, he fits nevertheless. Sharpe was in consideration for the No. 1 spot in the 2022 class when he enrolled at Kentucky a semester early and announced he would redshirt. Sharpe never ended up playing for Kentucky and entered the NBA Draft.

Sharpe was the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel was a consensus top-five player in the 2013 class. He announced before committing to Kentucky that he would be coming out as part of the 2012 class. During his lone season in Lexington, Noel averaged 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds while being named the SEC Rookie of the Year and first-team All-SEC.

Noel was the No. 6 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Marvin Bagley, Jr.

Marvin Bagley, Jr. was the No. 1 player in the 2018 class. The 6-foot-10 forward simultaneously announced his commitment to Duke and reclassification into the 2017 class. Bagley went on to average 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game and was named first-team All-American.

Bagley was the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Precedence at South Carolina

AJ Lawson was ranked in the late 30’s in the 2019 class. In June of 2018 the 6-foot-6 wing from Ontario, Canada committed to Frank Martin and South Carolina as a member of the 2018 class. Lawson played at South Carolina for three seasons, he won SEC All-Freshman and second-team All-SEC awards averaging 14.2 points for his career. Lawson is currently playing with the Dallas Mavericks Summer League team.