Ridge View basketball star GG Jackson wins Gatorade honor as best in SC
GG Jackson is regarded as the top high school basketball player in South Carolina.
On Wednesday, the Ridge View junior took home one of the state’s most prestigious honors by winning the SC Gatorade Boys Player of the Year award.
Jackson is the first Ridge View player to win the award. It is the 13th time a player from the Columbia area has been named the SC Gatorade Player of the Year. Gray Collegiate guard Jalek Felton was the last Midlands player to win the award back in 2017. Lower Richland’s Stanley Roberts won it twice in 1987 and 1988.
Cardinal Newman’s Ashlyn Watkins won the SC Gatorade Girls Player of the Year last week.
Jackson is ranked by Rivals’ and On3 as the top prospect for the Class of 2023. He averaged 22.9 points, 10.9 rebounds this season in helping the Blazers to the Class 5A championship. It was Ridge View’s fourth championship in five years.
Jackson had 14 points 11 rebounds and four blocks in the 65-57 state championship win over Fort Dorchester. He also was named Class 5A Player of the Year earlier this month.
On Saturday, Jackson scored 31 points and was the MVP in the Columbia vs. Pee Dee junior showcase held at Wilson High School in Florence.
Jackson also has been selected to participate in the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team camp to be run in conjunction with the Final Four on April 1-3 in New Oreleans. He was won of 48 players picked for the camp.
“I think his continuous improvement. You saw him as a freshman and what he was able to do as a sophomore and now as a junior. He has really expanded his game and will continue to do so,” Ridge View coach Yerrick Stoneman said recently of Jackson.
Jackson has several Division I offers and recently released top choices: Auburn, Duke, G-League, Georgetown, North Carolina and South Carolina.
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 told The State. “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.”
Midlands Gatorade Players of Year
2022 – GG Jackson, Ridge View
2017 – Jalek Felton, Gray Collegiate
2015 – P.J. Dozier, Spring Valley
2014 – Seventh Woods, Hammond
2013 – Justin McKie, Irmo
2007 – Trevor DeLoach, Saluda
2000 – Rolando Howell, Lower Richland
1996 – Jermaine O’Neal, Eau Claire
1995 – B.J. McKie, Irmo
1992 – Marvin Orange, Irmo
1991 – Derrick Carroll, Eau Claire
1988 – Stanley Roberts, Lower Richland
1987 – Stanley Roberts, Lower Richland
This story was originally published March 16, 2022 at 8:04 AM.
