UNC decommit Jackson to play for South Carolina

Elite prospect G.G. Jackson introduced his dedication to South Carolina on Saturday, concurrently confirming that he deliberate to reclassify into the 2022 class and go well with up for the Gamecocks this upcoming males’s basketball season.

Jackson’s choice comes 9 days after he decommitted from North Carolina; he now turns into the primary participant within the fashionable recruiting period to decommit from the Tar Heels and go elsewhere for faculty. J.R. Smith dedicated to Carolina in 2003, however he went to the NBA straight out of highschool.

South Carolina had been within the driver’s seat for the 6-foot-9 in-state prospect through the winter, earlier than the Gamecocks fired Frank Martin and changed him with Lamont Paris. Paris tried to land Jackson after taking on, however Jackson dedicated to North Carolina in late April. When Jackson selected the Tar Heels, he additionally made it clear he deliberate to remain within the 2023 class and never reclassify.

“We had been it at first,” Jackson advised ESPN in April. “However weighing over my choices and searching on the totally different those who reclassed up, seeing the way it affected them. I really feel like, bodily, I am not there but to play at that school stage, so I needed to remain in my class and simply put together the very best that I can.”

Over the previous month, nonetheless, there had been continued hypothesis about Jackson flipping from North Carolina to South Carolina and enjoying for the Gamecocks through the 2022-23 season. With Jackson enjoying his last summer season AAU recreation with the CP3 All-Stars on Friday evening, he determined to verify the rumors on Saturday.

A product of Ridge View Excessive Faculty in Columbia, South Carolina, Jackson is ranked No. 6 within the ESPN 100 for 2023. He averaged 12.9 factors and 9.8 rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit final spring and summer season, and he put up 13.1 factors and 10.2 rebounds in 20 video games on the circuit this season. Throughout his junior highschool season, he averaged 22.1 factors and 10.9 rebounds, incomes Gatorade Participant of the Yr honors in South Carolina. Jackson was additionally named MVP of the celebrated NBPA Prime 100 Camp final month after averaging 14.0 factors and 9.2 rebounds.

“Jackson has made regular progress over his profession and has not too long ago been enjoying at a fairly excessive stage. On the NBPA camp he was terrific and difficult,” stated ESPN’s nationwide recruiting director, Paul Biancardi. “He brings versatility and potential to South Carolina. His scoring contact contained in the arc, with footwork, has been spectacular. His ending potential in transition and ball-screen protection with switchable foot velocity and size to remain in entrance of the ball will likely be an asset. When engaged, his rebounding is spectacular.

“For Jackson to make the subsequent leap, he must develop sturdy follow habits and work on his consistency. He additionally wants to enhance his particular person protection and capturing vary whereas nonetheless producing.”

Jackson joins Zachary Davis and Daniel Hankins-Sanford in South Carolina’s 2022 class, though Paris additionally landed 5 transfers within the spring.