Elmarko Jackson, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound comb-guard from South Kent (CT) High School has quietly become one of the more coveted prospects in the 2023 class. Looking to narrow his list of schools and start the process of scheduling official visits in the fall, Jackson, the No. 141 ranked player in the 2023 class, is currently working with a list that includes Kansas, Syracuse, Ole Miss, Miami (FL), Oklahoma, Notre Dame, UCLA, Villanova, St. John’s, Villanova, Indiana, Penn State, Virginia, DePaul, Minnesota, Kansas State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Louisville, Rutgers, Seton Hall, LSU, Maryland, Nebraska, Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, VCU, and others.
On June 27, Kansas extended a scholarship to Jackson and has been heavily involved in his recruitment ever since. In early July, Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting contributor, Russ Wood, had this to say about Elmarko Jackson.
“Jackson is a strong physical guard with a very good first step,” said Wood. “If he gets his defender on his hip, it’s a wrap. A good two-way player with a high IQ and an equal amount of toughness. I was impressed at how Jackson doesn’t just use ball screens to get downhill or to get his shot off. He made some good reads and good passes. He definitely played above his current ranking.”
So, a few minutes ago, I spoke to Elmarko Jackson, who is currently in Chicago for the Under Armour Next Elite 24. For the first time since 2016, the Under Armour Next Elite 24 returns to the high school basketball scene, featuring two dozen of the top prospects in the nation. The 12th edition of the all-star showcase will be played on Aug. 12 at Northerly Island on Chicago's lakefront. The inaugural girls game tips off at 5 p.m. (Eastern) with the boy’s game to follow at 7 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ESPNU.
Since its 2006 inception, the Next Elite 24 has been played at historic Rucker Park in Harlem, Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, Venice Beach in Los Angeles. The game is notably the only all-star showcase event to be played outside. This year's roster features 15 prospects from the Class of 2023, eight prospects from the Class of 2024 and one prospect from the Class of 2025. Along with Jackson, Matas Buzelis, Elliot Cadeau, Isaiah Collier, J.P. Estrella, Dennis, Evans, Kwame Evans, Jr., Boggie Fland, Trentyn Flowers, Ian Jackson, Tre Johnson, Jamie Kasier, Jr., Bryson Tiller, Xavier Booker, Stephon Castle, Justin Edwards, Baye Fall, Rayvon Griffith, Vyctorious Miller, Tahaad Pettiford, Derik Queen, Sean Stewart, Bryson Tucker, and Simon Wilcher are also in Chicago for the Elite 24.
So, a few minutes ago, Jackson told me that he is still in the process of narrowing his list of schools and figuring everything out. He did say that it’s funny that I called him right now, because he was just getting ready to call Coach Rob (Norm Roberts). He said that I should call him back on Saturday or the day after, and he will likely have some information for me. Truthfully, I’m guessing if Kansas pushes hard enough and he’s seriously interested in playing at the highest level, Jackson will give Kansas a serious look. It wouldn’t surprise me if Coach Roberts was going to talk to Jackson about some visit dates, but I should know more in a couple of days.
On June 27, Kansas extended a scholarship to Jackson and has been heavily involved in his recruitment ever since. In early July, Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting contributor, Russ Wood, had this to say about Elmarko Jackson.
“Jackson is a strong physical guard with a very good first step,” said Wood. “If he gets his defender on his hip, it’s a wrap. A good two-way player with a high IQ and an equal amount of toughness. I was impressed at how Jackson doesn’t just use ball screens to get downhill or to get his shot off. He made some good reads and good passes. He definitely played above his current ranking.”
So, a few minutes ago, I spoke to Elmarko Jackson, who is currently in Chicago for the Under Armour Next Elite 24. For the first time since 2016, the Under Armour Next Elite 24 returns to the high school basketball scene, featuring two dozen of the top prospects in the nation. The 12th edition of the all-star showcase will be played on Aug. 12 at Northerly Island on Chicago's lakefront. The inaugural girls game tips off at 5 p.m. (Eastern) with the boy’s game to follow at 7 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ESPNU.
Since its 2006 inception, the Next Elite 24 has been played at historic Rucker Park in Harlem, Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, Venice Beach in Los Angeles. The game is notably the only all-star showcase event to be played outside. This year's roster features 15 prospects from the Class of 2023, eight prospects from the Class of 2024 and one prospect from the Class of 2025. Along with Jackson, Matas Buzelis, Elliot Cadeau, Isaiah Collier, J.P. Estrella, Dennis, Evans, Kwame Evans, Jr., Boggie Fland, Trentyn Flowers, Ian Jackson, Tre Johnson, Jamie Kasier, Jr., Bryson Tiller, Xavier Booker, Stephon Castle, Justin Edwards, Baye Fall, Rayvon Griffith, Vyctorious Miller, Tahaad Pettiford, Derik Queen, Sean Stewart, Bryson Tucker, and Simon Wilcher are also in Chicago for the Elite 24.
So, a few minutes ago, Jackson told me that he is still in the process of narrowing his list of schools and figuring everything out. He did say that it’s funny that I called him right now, because he was just getting ready to call Coach Rob (Norm Roberts). He said that I should call him back on Saturday or the day after, and he will likely have some information for me. Truthfully, I’m guessing if Kansas pushes hard enough and he’s seriously interested in playing at the highest level, Jackson will give Kansas a serious look. It wouldn’t surprise me if Coach Roberts was going to talk to Jackson about some visit dates, but I should know more in a couple of days.
