Elite sophomore Ian Jackson talks UConn offer, Duke & UK interest
If you’re from New York and follow high school hoops, you surely know the name Ian Jackson. Since the 8th grade, he’s been dubbed ‘the best hooper in the city.’ But nationally, the 6-foot-5 sophomore from the Bronx is just now bursting onto the scene.
The Cardinal Hayes guard made a lasting impression on On3 at the Hoophall Classic earlier this month, as Jackson put up 30 point performance in front of UConn head coach Dan Hurley and assistant Luke Murray. Unsurprisingly after the game, Jackson received an offer from the Huskies.
“(UConn) said they loved how I play and how I don’t really celebrate too much because I’m a humble kid,” Jackson said of UConn. “They said I could be another star player there, similar to James Bouknight and hopefully they can get me and bring the talent out of me and bring my potential to where they think it could be and hopefully get me to the draft.”
The sophomore guard also holds early offers from St. John’s, Kansas State, Seton Hall, Bryant, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and has already started gathering interest from Kentucky, Duke, and Florida State. He also says he hopes to hear from Gonzaga and UCLA.
Jackson has yet to make a college visit but says he would like to take unofficial trips to UConn, St. John’s, Seton Hall, and Penn State sometime this summer.
Blue bloods are calling
It’s fairly uncommon for sophomores to be contacted by the elites, such as Duke and Kentucky. However, if you do make it on their radar, it says something about you as a player.
Kentucky rarely offers sophomores, however, Jackson has indeed caught the eye of the Wildcats. Jackson said UK also watched his 30 point performance, although it was online, and not in person. Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua reached out to Jackson after the game. However, the star guard appeared on the Wildcats radar even before the Hoophall Classic.
“(Coach Antigua) came to see me earlier in the year,” Jackson explained. “He came down to my school to watch me and he said he loved the progression of my game and how much it’s growing. He told me to just keep my foot on the gas and said they will check me out this summer.”
Duke’s coach-in-waiting Jon Scheyer also reached out to Jackson.
“He just reached out and asked me how I was as a kid, and asked me what type of player I am, and stuff like that,” Jackson said. “And then he watched that game at Hoophall and then he told me I was definitely on their radar and said he wants to get out to some more games and see me play a bit more.”
Kentucky and Duke are two schools that just mean more when they come calling.
“It’s definitely one of those schools I watched as a kid, growing up, you know Duke and Kentucky,” said Jackson. “They’re two schools I definitely dreamed about going to. They’re definitely one of the premier teams that I like and I’m just glad that they reached out.”
Jackson talks strengths and improvements
Ian Jackson is still a young player with two years of high school remaining after this season comes to a close. However, he’s already solidified himself as one of the top prospects in the 2024 class, with only room to grow and improve.
“I feel like my strengths are getting out in the open floor, in transition, and getting downhill,” Jackson said. “I’m becoming a better shooter now, getting more consistent. I’ve been in the gym working on that so the jump shot is there. I play defense too. I feel like on the defensive end, I’m very reliable and I can get a stop, so I take pride in that too.”
Jackson says he wants to improve his ball-handling, and transition more into a combo guard. He says now he currently plays more like a small forward. Jackson also mentioned he wants to improve his court vision to better get his teammates involved.
College or pro?
The emergence of the professional route has been the obvious deterrent of the NCAA and college basketball. However, with the passing of NIL legislation, more and more five-star prospects will choose to pursue college over pro options.
Although Ian Jackson still has plenty of time to make a decision, he’s already started thinking about the professional route but says college is the current plan.
“I would definitely look into the pro route, the G-League. Right now, the plan is to go to college but as time goes on, who knows, something might change. I’m definitely open to it, I’m not going to completely shut it down, but right now the plan is to go to college.”