NBA Comparison: Marcus Morris

Strengths: Jackson is a hybrid forward with very good size, especially for the perimeter as a 6’9 215 player who already has a strong, mature build and the frame to become even more imposing with time … Excellent length with a 7-foot wingspan … Very good run-jump athleticism; covers ground in a hurry as a rangy strider and has proven to be a powerful leaper, especially with momentum going downhill … Intriguing scoring repertoire (15 ppg as a Fr.); has the raw ability to put the ball in the basket at all 3 levels and can make some highly impressive shots when creating offense for himself … Aggressive and isn’t shy about putting constant pressure on the defense with the rock in his hands, whether iso ball or in the pick and roll game … Strong 1st step … Pretty decent ball-handling skills and shows the ability to change up rhythm with hesitation dribbles to keep his man off balance … Impressive footwork allows him to stop suddenly to rise into pull-up jumpers or utilize up-and-unders when defenders play him too aggressively in one direction … Nice groundwork for occasional back-to-basket production; will utilize turnaround jumpers and jump hooks against smaller match ups in the low or mid post areas & played extended time on the low block in HS/AAU..Full of moves and can string together flashy combination dribbles to free himself up from defenders … Has range that extends past the NBA 3 and poses a threat hitting shots off the dribble or with his feet set … Will generally make well-timed cuts or relocate to open spots when playing off the ball … Had some impressive defensive flashes denying penetration and smothering shooters when locked in (26 blocks in 32 games), physically won’t have many problems matching up with NBA 3s and 4s … Willing rebounder at the college level (6 rpg) and will look to initiate transition offense after missed shots … Could greatly benefit from being around more talented teammates and not having to shoulder such a considerable load at the next level like he did at South Carolina … Youngest prospect in the 2023 Draft class after reclassifying to the 2022 HS class; would turn 19 years old about a month into his rookie season …

Weaknesses: Maturity remains his biggest hurdle … For as talented as Jackson is, his lack of efficiency this past season was very concerning (38 FG%, 32 3FG%, 42 FG% inside the arc) … His shot selection was poor, too often wasting possessions playing hero ball and dribbling the air out of the rock … Took numerous shots early into the shot clock before his teammates could ever touch the ball, leading many to label him a ‘ballhog’ … Averaged less than 1 assist per game as a Freshman, and generally shows little to no court vision or feel for making teammates better … Too often either didn’t have a plan or had obvious pre-determined reads with the ball that were easy for the defense to take advantage of … Has a tendency to dribble with his head down and often was swarmed by defenders and forced into turnovers/offensive fouls (2.7 topg) … Sometimes you can tell that he’s new to playing extended time on the perimeter based on how he reacts to ball pressure and scramble defenses … Was not a devoted defensive player as a freshman; gave up a ton of open shots due to lax effort and often seemed unfamiliar with scouting reports and matchup tendencies … The high center of gravity he plays with and his tendency to ball watch also didn’t do him any favors on that end, particularly as a helpside defender … His focus, effort and body language both during games and on the sidelines were concerning at various points of the season, and despite his age there will be teams that keep in mind how he acts when the going gets tough for him …

Overall: GG Jackson was a very highly regarded 5-star recruit from Columbia, SC who reclassified from 2023 HS class, where he was seen as the top recruit by many recruiting sites, to the 2022 class and decided to play close to home at South Carolina after previously being committed to UNC … He basically was, for better or worse, handed the keys to the program as a 17 year old freshman by new coach Lamont Paris and led the team in scoring in his 1st season on a struggling South Carolina team that finished 11-21 in 22-23 … Jackson showed his raw ability to light up the scoreboard (15.4 ppg, 2nd among SEC Fr. behind potential lottery pick Brandon Miller of Alabama) that made him such a highly sought after recruit, but he also went through a tough adjustment to college as a younger than usual 1st year player … He wasn’t very efficient, but what was even more worrisome is that he at times sulked when he didn’t get the ball, let one mistake compound to another, and even took to Instagram live to publicly complain about not getting the ball late in a close conference loss to Arkansas … Some of his struggle to adjust may be due to growing pains going from primarily being a post player in HS/AAU to more perimeter-oriented in college, but regardless he seemed to more often than not be going through the motions as a young Fr … As a prospect Jackson has big upside, particularly scoring the ball offensively, and he seems to have no problem showing it … There is a thin line between confidence and arrogant me and some of the shots and possessions Jackson had this past season straddled the line maybe too closely, but there are plenty teams who would rather their players be aggressive than passive … He may be able to trust his pro teammates more, which would be best for him and his teammates in the future … He’s arguably the most polarizing prospect in this class, but if he’s selected in the right situation some team could be rewarded for their patience and diligence and have a great value pick on their roster … GG Jackson certinly qualifies as a player that could fail to “make it” with his first team. The upside is incredible, but his situational dependence may be higher than any player in this year’s draft …

Notes: Measured 6′ 8.25” barefoot, 8′ 10.00” standing reach, 214.4 lbs, 6′ 11.50” wingspan and a 31 inch standing vertical and a 37′ inch max vertical at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine …

Jorrye Nixon 5/23/23

Strengths: 6’9 versatile big man … Good body frame that will have no issue filling out … Great mobility, long strides, and high-level athlete. Consistently runs the floor and quick, beating others up the floor. Moves well and very light on his feet for his size. Finishes above the rim with ease and quick off the ground, doesn’t need to gather before leaping. Good body control and can jump off either foot. Well balanced and under control … Very good ball-handler and smooth/shifty for his size. Has the rare ability to not only put it on the floor, but breaks down the defense, shakes his defender, and slashes to the rim off the dribble while not relying on triple threat. Also possesses rare iso offensive ability and capability to get downhill for his size and age. Quick step, changes speed and direction well with the ball. Effective crossover. Doesn’t over-dribble or dance with his defender … Can score inside and out. Has a nice jump hook and fadeaway going over either shoulder, doesn’t hesitate to use either hand around the basket, showing good touch … Solid 3PT shooting ability, stretching the floor at a respectable clip, but unlike many prospects his age, he doesn’t drift to the perimeter too often showing a good balance of playing both inside and out. Shoots well from midrange, pulling up off the dribble and out of crossovers going into his shot after getting the defenders on their heels that you don’t see often from players at any size at his age … Scoring averages: 9.2 PPG 64.5% (4th best) FG% NBPA Top 100 2021, 14 PPG 64.7% FG% (4th best) U18 Americas Championship 2022, 13.6 PPG NBPA Top 100 2022, 12.8 PPG 48.4% FG% Nike EYBL 2022 … Solid passing ability. Generally, does a good job finding open teammates, reading double teams, and can pass out of his drive … Very good rebounder on both ends. Does a good job converting offensive rebounds and reading put back/tip slam opportunities. Rebounding stats: 8 (2.5 ORPG) RPG (5th best) U18 Americas Championship 2022, 8.8 RPG NBPA Top 100 2022, 10.6 RPG (leader) Nike EYBL 2022 … Versatile defender. Has solid foot speed and stays in front of guards/wings when defending on the perimeter, even in space at times, and defends well in the post. Good timing, anticipation, and quick off the ground as a shot blocker/help defender. Blocks shots and contests well without fouling. Averaged 1.5 blocks per game at the U18 Americas Championship and 1.9 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Younger for his class, won’t turn 18 until December of his freshman year of college …

Weaknesses: Doesn’t have a great length relative to height with a 6’10 wingspan … Still has room to add strength, but as mentioned earlier, has a strong frame and is projected to fill out in time as he’s still only 17 years old … Still has room to expand post-game as he won’t be able to rely on superior tools at the next levels as much. Getting to his spots and finishing may take some time adjusting … While respectable and the foundation is there, he still has room to improve 3PT consistency. 3PT shooting: 25% 3PT% on 1.6 3PT attempts per game at the NBPA Top 100 and 34.2% 3PT% on 1.9 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL 2022 … Can improve as a free throw shooter. Shot 57.1% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 and 56.6% FT% Nike EYBL in 2022 … Averaged 1.9 assists to 1.9 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 …

Outlook: South Carolina freshman … Earned MVP of the 2022 Underclassman All-American Game: Junior Showcase with 26 points and 10 rebounds … MVP of the 2022 NBPA Top 100 … 2022 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year … Won Gold at the U18 Americas Championship in 2022 …

Evan Tomes 8/12/22