5-star GG Jackson’s interest in USC was heavily tied to Frank Martin. Now what?
South Carolina’s decision to part ways with men’s basketball coach Frank Martin will almost certainly have an impact on where the Gamecocks stand with top recruit GG Jackson.
The five-star prospect from nearby Ridge View High School has been monitoring Martin’s situation with the Gamecocks. On Monday, the school decided to part ways with Martin, who coached USC for 10 seasons and to their only Final Four appearance in 2017.
Martin and his staff have been recruiting Jackson — ranked Rivals’ and On3’s top-ranked prospect for the Class of 2023 — for the past two years. USC hosted him for an official visit last month and Jackson listed the Gamecocks in his final six choices earlier this month.
Jackson posted a broken-heart emoji to Twitter shortly after the news broke Monday but has since removed it from his social media feed.
“Hopefully, he gets to stay,” Jackson told The State after Saturday’s Columbia vs. Pee Dee Junior Showcase in Florence. “To me, it weighs a lot. I have known coach Martin for a very long time and what he is capable of as a coach. That weighs a lot in my decision.”
Saturday was Jackson’s first return to action since the state championship game last week. He scored 31 points in the showcase and earned MVP honors.
In addition to the Gamecocks, the other options Jackson is considering are Auburn, Duke, Georgetown, North Carolina and playing professionally in the G-League. He has also taken official visits to Duke, Georgetown and North Carolina.
247Sports logged in two predictions for Jackson going to Duke on Monday night.
Jackson said a few weeks ago that a college decision could come in the next few weeks, but he said Saturday that a timetable isn’t set in stone. He said he is talking with his dad and mom, who have been a big help during the recruiting process.
“Honestly, I don’t know. This is a big decision and I don’t want to rush it,” Jackson said of the time frame. “My dad has never told me anything wrong. He said you got to pray about things because you don’t want to rush into it. Your basketball season just ended, so now this is your time to ease your mind, relax and focus on what you want to do. I just take it as wisdom.”
Jackson averaged 22.9 points, 10.9 rebounds in helping the Blazers to the Class 4A championship. It was Ridge View’s fourth championship in five years.
South Carolina Class of 2022 Recruits
Zachary Davis, G, Denmark-Olar — Signed
Bryce Lindsay, G, St. Frances Academy (Md.) — Committed
Daniel Hankins-Sanford, F, Chambers High (NC) — Signed
This story was originally published March 14, 2022 at 3:39 PM.
