Gamecocks, Clemson offer young, hometown big man from title-winning program
G.G. Jackson’s recruitment is gaining steam as he picked up a four Power 5 offers, including South Carolina and Clemson over the past two days.
The Gamecocks, Virginia Tech and Syracuse offered the 6-foot-9 Ridge View High School rising sophomore on Tuesday. Clemson followed with an offer on Wednesday. Georgia Tech, Washington, Charlotte and Buffalo also have shown interest so far.
“It is a blessing from God,” Jackson said of the offers and attention he is starting to get. “It almost didn’t feel real. I just hugged my parents and even cried because it was exciting. I’m still still in shock.”
Jackson is the second Columbia-area player the Gamecocks have offered over the past week. Keenan Class of 2022 guard Jazian Gortman on Friday.
The Gamecocks don’t typically offer younger players like Jackson, but Frank Martin and the USC staff has had their eye on Jackson for some time. Jackson played alongside South Carolina signee Ja’Von Benson last season at Ridge View, so Martin got to see him on several occasions.
Jackson said he was able to learn a lot from Benson and other seniors on the team last season. He came off the bench last season and averaged 4 points and 4.2 rebounds as a freshman.
Ridge View coach Yerrick Stoneman had Jackson play on the perimeter a lot late in the season. The Blazers won their third straight Class 4A title and are moving up to Class 5A this season.
Jackson has had a big summer playing for Upward Stars 15U team. He scored 28 points against Team Charlotte on Sunday in a Phenom Hoops event in Rock Hill.
Stoneman hasn’t been able to work with Jackson this summer because workouts have been shut down during the coronavirus pandemic. He watched Jackson play in Rock Hill over the weekend and believes Jackson has a potential to develop into a nationally-ranked prospect.
“G.G. has an opportunity to be special and his skill level is there, and he will continue to get better. He is a great kid and comes from a great family,” Stoneman said. “South Carolina has been watching him for a while now even back when he was in seventh grade, so they know what he can do.
“He always has been able to put his back to the basket, but now he can take people off the dribble from the perimeter. His outside shot continues to develop and he does a lot of things you can’t teach.”
Jackson said he is a big fan of Milwaukee Bucks 6-foot-11 forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and sees a lot of things in the NBA MVP’s game that he tries to emulate.
“I watched him work on and develop his outside shot, and that is one of the things I am working on. I want to have the whole arsenal in my game,” Jackson said. “I am also working on getting stronger and tougher because we are moving up in Class 5A this year.”
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 3:48 PM.
