Recruitment update on 4-star Elmarko Jackson

On3 imageby:Jamie Shaw08/31/22

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Elmarko Jackson’s recruitment has been a quiet one for a while. On3’s No. 23 player in the 2023 class rankings has been on a tear this summer.

Since April of this year, Jackson has picked up over 20 offers, playing with the We R 1 program on the UAA Next Circuit. The 6-foot-4 point guard averaged 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals. He shot 35.7 percent from three through his 20 games this summer.

While it is still a rather obtuse list, Jackson released a top-11 list of schools on August 18; Kansas, Maryland, Virginia, Louisville, Notre Dame, VCU, Texas, UCLA, Villanova, Miami, and Michigan.

Jackson transferred to play his senior year at South Kent (CT) South Kent Academy.

Jackson’s recruitment

The four-star took his lone official visit to Maryland in June. However, Jackson has taken some unofficial visits. Early in the process, Jackson did visit Seton Hall, Maryland, St. John’s, Miami, and VCU. He’s recently visited UCLA

Four of those six schools made his final 11. Jackson’s uncle, Marlon Jackson, played football at Michigan. His father, Elmarko Jackson, was a running back at Temple.

In Jackson’s words

“I want to go to a school with a nice campus energy,” Jackson said. “One where everybody is cohesive and gets along. I want to play for a coach who is hard on their players, but not in an irrational way, but wants to make their players better. Playing with a group of guys who just gets along with each other will be big too.

“I do want to play in an offense that lets their guards have a lot of freedom. Playing in the pick and roll with a lot of options and reads, but also get out in transition.”

Thoughts and intel

While Elmarko Jackson has kept things close to the chest, there are some programs he has consistently spoken highly of. Jim Larranaga of Miami was front and center for most of Jackson’s games in July. He visited the campus unofficially and consistently speaks about his relationship with the staff. Look for the Hurricanes to get an early September visit.

Villanova is a school I expect to be in the thick of things. They are somewhat of a hometown school; there is familiarity and comfort. Kyle Neptune continues to build the relationship, and there is a lot of smoke around the Wildcats right now.

Kansas is involved and should get a late September visit.

Two more schools to watch are UCLA and Texas. They each came in a little late but have pressed hard and let it known Jackson is wanted. Jackson reportedly enjoyed his time on an unofficial to UCLA earlier this month.

Jackson’s next step is to drop a top-five. As things stand, Kansas, Miami and Villanova are in the top group. Texas feels like they are trending to get a visit. Virginia and UCLA seem to be the two competing for that fifth spot.

Kevin Willard’s staff laid the groundwork while at Seton Hall, and things carried over to Maryland; they may be able to carry over some momentum as well. Maryland has gotten the only official visit to this point. Maryland took Deshawn Harris-Smith to play primarily on the ball; we will see if that has an effect here, would not be surprised if they did not get another visit. Virginia is another interesting one as they have targeted Jackson on their point guard board. They are positioning themselves to get a visit. Michigan trended after they offered but it appears both sides are looking elsewhere.

Jackson is in no rush to make a decision. Look for him to schedule Fall official visits to each of his top five schools, and the plan, for now, is to decide during the winter.

Jackson’s scouting report

Elmarko Jackson is a strong-framed, long-armed lead guard. He is built like he’s already been in a college strength and conditioning program for a couple of years. Jackson is a jet-quick lead guard, one of the fastest in the country, with the ball in his hands. The jump shot can get flat, but he’s shooting it better off the bounce. He has upside on the defensive end and is developing his reads in the half-court. At 6-4/200 with great speed on the ball is eye-opening. His dad played football at Temple, and his uncle played football at Michigan.