4-star PG Elmarko Jackson talks St. John's, VCU, Miami, etc.

Elmarko Jackson is the No. 76 ranked player in the 2022 On3 Consensus. The 6-foot-3 point guard at Richland (NJ) Academy of the New Church is physically built with elite-level speed.

“I am a point guard, Jackson told On3. “I try to make the game easier for everyone on the floor with me. We have a good team, with a lot of talent. It is my job to make sure the ball is moving, and everything is working within the flow of the offense. Last year I turned the ball over more than I wanted. Now the game is slowing down. I can make all the reads; I’ve been putting in a lot of work. I watch a lot of Donovan Mitchell and his footwork and Kyrie Irving with his crafty finishes.”

He was named the On3 Awards Most Valuable Player of the UAA Session 1 with his steady and dynamic play for We R 1. On3 caught up with Elmarko Jackson this weekend to see the latest on his recruitment.

“I hear a lot from St. John’s, Seton Hall, Maryland, VCU, and Cal,” Jackson said. “I have visited Seton Hall, Maryland, St. John’s, Miami, and VCU. I have talked with the new staff at Maryland, but that visit was with the old staff. I don’t have any official visits set yet; not sure if I will take any junior year officials. I hear a lot from UConn, Wake Forest, and Michigan. None of them have offered yet.”

Jackson talks recruitment

St. John’s: “I learned a lot about their academics; they have good programs. Basketball-wise, they like to quickly get up and down the floor and spread it out. Their coach gives them the freedom to make plays. He allows his guards to get busy. I like that a lot.”

VCU: “They are a gritty team. Bones Hyland, who played for my same AAU program, went there. They play defense and force teams to play at their pace. They also give their guards a lot of freedom to make plays.”

Miami: “It was really nice down there. I got to tour the campus and the facilities; it felt like a vacation spot. I met with Coach L (Jim Larranaga) and his staff, and we went through the depth chart and where I was on the recruiting board. I watched their game against UCF.”

Jackson’s take

“My uncle, Marlon Jackson, played football at Michigan and got drafted. He won a super bowl in the NFL.

“I am looking for a family-oriented program, where they aren’t just there for basketball but more than that. Off the court and on the court, I want to go somewhere that cares for each other and values winning. I want to win.”

On3’s take

Elmarko Jackson is a physically developed point guard. He has a sturdy frame with long arms and broad shoulders. Jackson has elite speed from end to end, putting pressure on the opposing team’s defense. Jackson’s jump shot is coming along, becoming more of a threat, especially off the bounce. The pace is developing, and already a national recruiting, Jackson continues climbing up his four-star status.