Josh Jackson doesn’t have a true position, but that hasn’t stopped him from being the country’s top high school basketball player in his class.
Jackson, a 6-7, 185-pound guard/forward, is ranked No. 1 in the Class of 2016 by Rivals.com Rivals.com and plays at Prolific Prep, a basketball academy in Napa, Calif, where he averaged more than 20 points a game as a junior.
This weekend, Jackson is playing in central Arkansas with One Nation Elite, an AAU program based in Michigan, in the Real Deal in the Rock. Jackson scored 19 points in One Nation’s 49-44 victory over the Colorado Hawks on Saturday at P.A.R.K. in Little Rock.
One Nation Coach Terrence Robinson calls Jackson a triple threat.
“He can drive to the basket. He can shoot a pull-up jump shot. He has a threepoint shot as well,” Robinson said. “He can play down low. He can play the wing. He can play wherever. He really doesn’t have a position. He just plays basketball.
“He’s a really good playmaker. He’s a phenomenal passer. He creates for his teammates. The mark of a good player is how good he can make the people around him. He’s definitely that player.”
Jackson calls himself a slasher and likes to get to the basket.
“I play an all-around game,” Jackson said. “I’m a big fan of team play. I like winning.”
Jackson has narrowed his college choices down to nine schools: Arizona, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina, N.C. State and UCLA. Three of the nine schools in Jackson’s final list played in the Final Four on Saturday — Duke, Kentucky and Michigan State.
But Jackson is in no hurry to make a decision.
“It’s up in the air right now,” Jackson said. “I think the schools I chose are really good schools. Now it’s just a matter of picking which one is right for me.
Jackson played two seasons at Detroit Consortium High School before moving to California. He is enrolled at Justin-Siena High School in Napa, Calif., but plays basketball at Prolific Prep.
“It’s a nice school. I like the team,” Jackson said. “The move was beneficial to me for my academics and my basketball game.”
Robinson compares Jackson to former NBA players Scottie Pippen (Hamburg, Central Arkansas) and Grant Hill.
“He has phenomenal footwork,” Robinson said. “Any guy who makes their teammates better, that’s who I compare him to.”
Jackson was born in San Diego and lived in California until he was six when he and his family moved to Michigan.
Robinson, who has coached Jackson since he was in eighth grade, said that Jackson leaving Michigan was disappointing for some people, but it he understood.
“There were some individuals that were sad to see him go because he’s such a phenomenal talent and a talent we haven’t had in the state of Michigan in a while,” Robinson said. “But I think some people recognized the opportunities it affords him as a kid being able to travel and playing different levels of competition and the fact he’s getting a phenomenal education. I’m sure no one will disagree with him getting a better education.”
Personal statistics are not what drives Jackson as he begins his AAU under-17 season with One Nation.
“My favorite part is winning,” Jackson said. “I love the game. I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t play. Basketball is pretty much my life.”