‘All the tools necessary.’ Prized Kentucky recruit showing out with college choice looming.
Back in August, in a hotel conference room in downtown Chicago, Ian Jackson spelled out what his life was like in New York City.
The sought-after class of 2024 college basketball recruit detailed a daily schedule that would exhaust anyone: A 6 a.m. workout followed by school at Cardinal Hayes High School in The Bronx, after which comes a two-hour trainer-led workout, a quick meal and then another 90 minutes in the gym before homework and sleep.
“I just want to be great, really,” Jackson told the Herald-Leader of how he pushes through his grueling daily agenda. “Just knowing that it’s going to get tiring, I understand that part, but it’s me just wanting to be great and wanting to actually play at the highest level and be one of the best players ever. That’s definitely what keeps my head going.”
Now, Jackson is in the thick of it.
The hectic timeline he laid out in August didn’t even account for a Cardinal Hayes game day, cross-country trips to play in tournaments or college recruiting visits, something that’s increasingly becoming a focus with Jackson.
Jackson is front of mind in the recruiting world at the moment following last week’s Hoophall West high school basketball event in Arizona, which is put on by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jackson had 23 points in a marquee showdown with former UK recruit and current Texas signee Ron Holland. Then in Cardinal Hayes’ second game in as many nights at the event, he scored 23 points again.
Scoring efforts like these are a big reason why Jackson — who is ranked as the No. 2 player overall in the class of 2024 by the 247Sports Composite — is so coveted by college programs across the country.
And it’s also evidence that the attention and pressure isn’t getting to him, even after a summer that saw Jackson win a gold medal with the United States.
“Jackson has always had all the tools necessary,” said Brian Reichert, who covers prep basketball in the New York City area for Rivals. “But now he’s discovered how to do it in every game.”
College decision could come soon
The intrigue on the recruiting front with Jackson has also grown in recent days after Jackson told On3’s Joe Tipton that he would soon make a college decision.
Jackson has already taken official visits to Kentucky (for Big Blue Madness), LSU and Oregon.
He’s scheduled to take an official visit to North Carolina on Jan. 6, the day before the Tar Heels host Notre Dame.
Kentucky’s coaches will reportedly take in one of Jackson’s games this weekend while in New York for Saturday’s CBS Sports Classic against UCLA. It’s also worth remembering both UK and UNC will be playing Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
But even with the weight of expectations that come with being recruited by a pair of blue blood programs, little has changed about Jackson’s game.
“As the big schools come in I’ve just noticed Jackson’s popularity go up. Nothing has changed for the young man,” Reichert added. “He’s completely focused on his game and teammates during the season.”
This has been especially necessary during the opening games of the season for Cardinal Hayes — the defending Catholic High School Athletic Association state champions — with Jackson helping integrate new transfer players into the team’s offense at the start of his junior year.
Not only has consistency come with age for Jackson, but so has an emerging three-point shot, which previously lagged behind the rest of his explosive offensive game highlighted by high-flying finishes at the rim.
This growth from behind the arc is representative of a player continuing on a trajectory of improvement, Rivals national analyst Rob Cassidy previously told the Herald-Leader.
“That’s the most encouraging thing about him, that he’s become a much better shooter than he was at this time last year. Really all you want to see is (that) he’s going in the right direction,” Cassidy said. “He never has to be a dead-eye, Steph Curry-like shooter because of everything else he brings to the table. It’s just, can he do it enough to keep defenders honest? That helps him tremendously.”
In addition to the background chatter that comes with being recruited by the likes of Kentucky and North Carolina, Jackson has also long been considered a prime reclassification candidate who could move from the class of 2024 down to the class of 2023.
Previously, this was viewed as a potential positive for Kentucky.
Then, the 2023 recruiting class came together for John Calipari and the Wildcats.
The answer to Jackson’s reclassification question is the same now as it was in August when the Herald-Leader asked Jackson about reclassifying.
No decision yet, simply wait and see.
‘Just a trailblazer’
Jackson has previously told the Herald-Leader about the phone call pitches made to him by Calipari: Come to Kentucky and use the tools in your game to help the Wildcats win another national championship.
How would Jackson describe what’s in that tool box?
“A strength of my game is I feel I’m really good on the defensive end, on-ball. I feel like I take pride in that part of my defense,” Jackson said. “I score on all three levels. Where I feel like I need to grow is ball handling really, (getting) more comfortable with the ball in my hands and making plays.”
Having a ball in his hands has long been part of the plan for Jackson.
His basketball experience began with his brothers, going to one of New York City’s myriad courts and parks and playing ball. Then, basketball became serious in the sixth grade.
Jackson said he’s the only person in his family who has played basketball seriously, but his brothers are the ones who helped make all of this a reality.
And because of this, Jackson has grown in self-independence at an age earlier than most of his peers.
His family doesn’t have previous first-hand experience with a high-level recruitment. That’s Jackson’s job to navigate.
So are the early-morning alarms that Jackson sets himself to get shots up to start the day.
The last few years have been a period of self-discovery in plenty of ways for Jackson, and it appears the defining moment of it — a college basketball commitment — is coming sooner rather than later.
What has Jackson taken from this process?
“I learned that I’m a real independent kid. Just kind of doing things myself, getting things done myself the way I want to get it done,” Jackson said. “Just a trailblazer, really.”
Four questions with Ian Jackson
Class of 2024 shooting guard Ian Jackson is a dynamic player on the basketball floor who’s being courted by the biggest college basketball programs in the country.
But he’s more than just that.
Learn about Jackson’s off-the-court personality from the Herald-Leader’s interview with Jackson in August at the Under Armour Next Elite 24 showcase event in Chicago.
What’s your favorite food?
Mac and cheese.
What’s your favorite TV show?
“All-American.”
What would be your superpower and why?
Read people’s minds. So I can always know what somebody’s thinking and maybe try to adjust or fix it. Just to always know what’s on somebody’s mind.
Who is your biggest basketball influence?
My brothers and my coaches. Because they’ve been with me, they’re the ones who put a basketball in my hand and they’re the ones I watch and inspire me with the ball.
This story was originally published December 14, 2022 at 11:40 AM.
