UNC Basketball Recruiting: Jackson showing why he’s 2023’s No. 1 player
G.G. Jackson, one-half of the UNC basketball recruiting class of 2023, is proving why he’s the No. 1-ranked prospect in the nation.
Gregory “G.G.” Jackson was at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston, Texas this week training for a spot on the 2022 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team. He was one of 27 players at the training camp competing for 12 spots on a team set to play in the FIBA Americas Championship from June 6-12 in Tijuana, Mexico.
Jackson, who took over the top spot in the Top247 rankings last week, impressed onlookers with his play on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. He scored, rebounded, defended, and displayed his athletic ability throughout, backing up his latest No. 1 ranking and that of Rivals and On3Sports, both of which have had Jackson at the top of their respective lists for some time now.
"“Just days after taking over the number one overall spot in the Top247 rankings for the national class of 2023, North Carolina pledge GG Jackson looked every bit as good as advertised on Friday night,” 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein writes. He competed and played with a high-motor from start to finish, which allowed his athleticism to shine through on both ends of the floor. He was a lob threat, even in the half-court, and also very active rebounding the ball off both backboards, displaying very soft hands in the process.While we know Jackson has increasingly versatile skill, he’s clearly focused on maximizing his efficiency in this setting and consequently playing with just the right inside-out approach that should give him the best chance of making the final roster. Regardless of what happens for the remainder of the camp, Jackson was the best high school frontcourt player on the floor on Friday night.”"
Jackson is one-half of a two-man 2023 recruiting class for North Carolina, joining fellow five-star prospect and top-10 point guard Simeon Wilcher. Although the Tar Heels currently have just two commitments in the class, they rank second in the 2023 cycle behind only Duke, who’s already built up a five-man class with four five-star players.
The South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, Jackson averaged 22.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.2 assists, and one steal per game during his extraordinary junior season. He led Ridge View High School to its first-ever 5A state title and hopes to repeat in 2023 before joining the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill next year.
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