GG Jackson reclassifies to 2022 and remains in the top 10
As of yesterday, GG Jackson is the newest member of the 2022 class. Jackson officially will be enrolled to start classes at the University of South Carolina later this summer. On3 dives into what this means for Jackson.
Jackson’s new ranking
Jackson comes in at No. 10 in On3’s 2022 ranking. He remains a five-star and has a 98 grade. Formerly the No. 1 player in 2023, the 2022 class was a deeper class with more top-end, NBA-type talent. While moving up a class will certainly start Jackson’s NBA career earlier, it will also give him more competition at the top.
Anyone who watched Jackson over the last two months got a chance to see his overall versatility and why NBA scouts are intrigued. The MVP of the NBPA Top 100 Camp averaged 13.7 points and 9.4 rebounds. He showcased creation in the half-court, off the bounce, and defensive versatility both in the passing lanes and weakside rim protection.
Jackson followed up his MVP performance by averaging 15.3-points, 12.0-rebounds, 2.3-blocks, and 1.3-steals per game at Nike’s Peach Jam. Dozens of NBA scouts were at both events.
Projecting Jackson forward
For comparison’s sake, a player archetype mentioned numerous times is Jerami Grant. That 6-foot-8. 6-foot-9 hyper-athletic and lengthy frame with notable ball skills and projectability seem to be the archetype Jackson is placed.
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Talking with a few NBA Draft experts, the general consensus is somewhere in the lottery, from about picks five to twelve. His numbers and production, against the highest level of talent, are hard to ignore. The Draft experts like his explosion, mobility, and rim-protection as plus tools that should translate. Also, he can float inside and out, which is a trait highly coveted in today’s game.
What this means for South Carolina
The spotlight is on South Carolina’s first-year head coach Lamont Paris. He now has the school’s first top-ten basketball recruit in over thirty years. Not only that, but GG Jackson became North Carolina’s first basketball decommitment in the modern recruiting era. This commitment was a big deal and one that has trended on social media for multiple days over the last few weeks.
Jackson, who will not turn 18 until December, will step into a featured role at an SEC program. There will be a lot thrust on his shoulders quickly. How quickly he adapts to the speed of the game and picks up on the plays and reads will be something to look for early. Jackson is a humble teammate with a magnetic personality; his teammates, the media, and fans will quickly take to him.
This season will be fascinating to watch with regards to Jackson. But for now, South Carolina has landed the No. 10 prospect in the 2022 class, a bonafide five-star from ten minutes up the road.
