GG Jackson’s recruitment is winding down. Will new USC coach have time, or a chance?
It’s possible that GG Jackson’s recruitment could be nearing an end.
Jackson and his father Greg Sr. told The State on Wednesday that a decision might be made in the coming weeks.
“We definitely are getting closer,” GG Jackson said.
Jackson, a rising senior, announced his final six college choices a day after helping Ridge View High School to the Class 5A state championship. Those making the final cut were Auburn, Duke, Georgetown, the G-League, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl and assistant coach Wes Flanigan stopped by the school Wednesday to talk with Jackson and his dad. Of his final choices, Auburn is the only school Jackson hasn’t visited during the recruiting process.
“I’m glad they came and I got a chance to talk to them in person instead of on the phone,” Greg Jackson said, “just want to see what kind of plan they got.”
Many recruiting experts project that the decision could be between North Carolina and Duke for Jackson, the top prospect in the Class of 2023. South Carolina was thought to be in a good spot for Jackson after his official visit last month.
But that changed after the Gamecocks fired Frank Martin last week following 10 seasons and a trip to the 2017 NCAA Final Four.
“I didn’t see it coming,” Greg Jackson said. “I thought they were going to let him continue to build and carry that momentum to next year. They had a good team coming back and some good prospects. I was just shocked.”
Martin might not be out of work long. He is a front-runner for the UMass job, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Martin built a strong relationship with GG Jackson and his family during the recruiting process. On Monday, the former USC coach told Phil Kornblut’s SportsTalk radio show that he believed the Gamecocks were going to land Jackson if he remained the coach.
“Yes,” Martin said when asked if he thought Jackson would have been a Gamecock. “I know everyone didn’t think we were getting Zion (Williamson). But we were in there to the 11th hour. .. We did our jobs, and if I didn’t think that I wouldn’t tell you.”
Chattanooga’s Lamont Paris is expected to be the next Gamecocks coach, with a USC board of trustees meeting scheduled Thursday to approve his contract.
The Jacksons said Paris has yet to reach out, although that might change once he is officially approved as coach.
“We really didn’t know who he was until we looked him up,” GG Jackson said. “Really just getting in touch with the head coach and seeing what he is about and see if he likes me or not. It might change some things, so I don’t know.”
Jackson averaged 22.9 points, 10.9 rebounds this season and was named the S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. He has been picked to participate in USA Basketball’s Men’s Junior National Team mini camp April 1-3 in New Orleans in conjunction with the NCAA Final Four.
The camp will feature some of the top players in the class of 2023, 2024 and 205.
“I am excited about that,” GG Jackson said. “I want to show everyone that I am a top talent, too, and I can play with the rest of those guys.”
This story was originally published March 24, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
