Hoops Hello: Zeb Jackson
Basketball opened their 2020 recruiting class today with a commitment from OH PG Zeb Jackson, a rapidly-rising prospect who gathered early offers from virtually all of the Midwest basketball powers. Jackson is very close with Zavier Simpson and his dad; Jackson told Josh Henschke that Quincy is "like his uncle." Ace wondered if we'll find out that it's actually "Xeb" next year and now I desperately want this to happen.
Despite the Simpson connection, Jackson is basically the opposite kind of point guard. He's tall—6'3" according to his coach. He's a shooter coming off a 39% from 3, 81% from the line AAU season. And some of the main Areas For Improvement that get mentioned by scouts involve his defensive chops and level of commitment.
To the various subject headings:
GURU RANKINGS
Rivals | ESPN | 24/7 | Composite |
4*, #72 overall #16 PG |
NR | 4*, #58 overall #17 SG, #2 OH |
4*, #66 overall #18 SG, #2 OH |
ESPN only has a top 60 for 2020 basketball recruits and Jackson is not inside it. Rivals and 24/7 are in fairly close agreement except when it comes to his position. Michigan is saying he's a point guard.
Jackson might have more upward mobility. He's already risen since June, when he was an unranked three-star, and has shot up from 5'9" as a freshman to a coach-reported 6'3". As he fills that new height out and maybe gets another inch or two he could creep up into the top 50.
SCOUTING
Prep Hoops, which is an Ohio-based scouting service that took in a bunch of AAU events over the summer, named him their player of the year after the AAU season concluded:
…efficient wing scorer equally capable of hitting a pull-up jumper off a crossover as he is an athletic lefty finish through traffic. He has an uncanny ability to get separation. …
Throughout the previous eight UAA circuit games leading up to the Finals, Jackson averaged 13.5 points (43-39-81 shooting splits) and 3.8 rebounds with a circuit-leading 3.1-1.0 assist/turnover ratio.
… Jackson also became, a better defender this season, showing high-IQ in the help-side, elusiveness in defending a ball-handler in the pick-and-roll, and lateral quickness against the ball.
“This year he took a big jump defensively,” Clarke said. “Last year playing up on our 16s, there was time he struggled on the defensive end one-on-one. If you’re going to play at a high-major level, and you know he’s that type of kid, he’s going to have to guard a kid and keep people in front of you. I think this year, especially July, he did a phenomenal job of doing that.”
If the video below is any indication the weak two-point shooting splits are due to a lot of mid-range pull-ups. He looks good when he does it but those shots are always tough. The 39% from three and 81% from the line indicate a guy who is a potential pro-level shooter. Jackson might be a work in progress inside the line early in his career. But then again he's a 2020 so it may work out just fine.
Other takes from Prep Hoops:
His ability to create separation and hit with range off the dribble is unique. As he continues to add consistency from the 3-point line, Jackson closes the gap between production and potential.
Also:
Zeb is a long, lean guard with tons of speed and quickness. He’s scoring the ball at a high level mixing and matching everything he has with his shooting, slashing, and finishing ability. He’s really tough and plays at a level faster than everyone else. Showed dynamic separation ability and the jumper looks like a much better weapon than a year ago.
Also:
We stopped by one of Jackson’s games on Saturday afternoon and he had one of those absurd three-possession stretches that are becoming routine for him. First, he came down and nailed a triple after jab stepping. Then, Jackson finished off a sloppy possession with a baseline one-foot fall-away shot. Zeb, now feeling it at this point, then did the Durant ball-fake hesitation move (go to 0:28 of this video) to scoot by a defender and get into the lane. His scoring ability is top notch. We’d like him to be more involved defensively though.
Endless Motor also caught him at a couple of events:
…displayed a great looking shot from the perimeter, knocking down multiple threes with range out to 28 feet. While his outside shot dominates the highlight reels, we were most impressed with his ability to create easy shots for teammates. Jackson has great first step acceleration, a nice handle and elite vision which allowed him to repeatedly beat his primary defender and find teammates on dumpoffs and kickouts once helpside defense collapsed on him. His open court speed was also noteworthy, as Zeb kicked it into another gear on a loose ball and won a footrace to the rim before finishing with the off hand.
Also:
A true point guard with great size at 6’3, Zeb has great vision as a passer and is phenomenal as a playmaker that creates easy looks for teammates. A fluid athlete with good first step acceleration and a good handle, Jackson thrives breaking a defense down off the bounce while also having a legit stroke from beyond the arch as a scorer.
“He can distribute. … He’s a big point guard. He’s starting to fill out. Muscle and all that is coming along and he’s only a sophomore. I think he’s going to grow a little bit more yet. He’s got great explosion. His skill level is off the charts. I think that’s what a lot of the college coaches are seeing is just his skill, his knowledge of the game.”
…
“His work ethic is by far the best I’ve seen,” he said. “He just lives in the gym.”
… making good strides with his game as he continues to grow. Jackson is a natural scorer who can put points on the board in a major way. Now he is also passing the ball a bit better, and even showed more of a commitment on the defensive end. This weekend might have asserted Jackson as the top guard in the state of Ohio in his class.
Some guy on a Butler board who accurately projected he was going to blow up:
Overall I absolutely love him. The more I saw him the more convinced I became that he's the type of guard that should be a primary target for Butler in the 2020 class. He's a true combo guard that I'd predict will end up being a 4 star. I think he can crack the top 50. He's got the length to defend off the ball and the lateral quickness to defend point guards. Jackson has a lightning quick crossover that he uses frequently to get anywhere on the court he wants. He was one of the best defensive guards I saw in his class, and his offense is just as good as his defense. He didn't shoot the ball particularly well from the perimeter, but his shot looked smooth, so I suspect that was a fluke. Looks like he is shooting 39% from 3 in the Under Armour association, which supports my thought that he normally knocks down a lot of the shots he was missing this weekend.
He's going to have a flood of offers coming in over the next 3 months. I really hope Butler is one of them. He's ridiculously talented and also feels like a good fit.
So, some conflicting information about his defensive involvement that may be a player realizing he's got to get better on that end and starting to get after it. Some somewhat cautionary notes about his shooting mixed in with high praise for it. Pretty universal declarations that he's a true point guard that are backed up by an excellent A:TO ratio from AAU ball.
A true point guard with big upside.
[After THE JUMP: all the local powers offer]
OFFERS
MSU, OSU, Purdue, Butler, Marquette, Wisconsin, Virginia, Vandy, Iowa, Illinois, and Xavier. Jackson didn't execute the semi-frequent "visit MSU and immediately commit to Michigan" ploy, he one-upped it: a November 9th official to MSU is now off.
HIGH SCHOOL
Maumee High School is just over the border near Toledo.
STATS
The relevant AAU ones are in the scouting area above. Real GM has details: those are just eight games, so sample sizes are well below anything that could be considered definitive. His high school coach reports 19.5 points and 5 assists a game, but no word on efficiency.
VIDEO
Caris Levert is about a half-foot taller but the long-arms and herky-jerky dribbling style Jackson has remind me of him.
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
If Jackson's a point guard for Michigan, and he likely is, he'll enter just after Zavier Simpson's eligibility expires. Eli Brooks will be a senior David DeJulius a junior—if both guys are on the roster. One might end up transferring for playing time, because that's how things go these days. It might be a tall order for Jackson to displace a veteran heir apparent; it usually takes Beilein point guards a year before they're able to run the offense at the level required of them.
If Jackson comes in and is immediately a guy you need to play he has the ability to be an off guard. There are too many moving parts on the roster to tell; it's still unclear if Jackson is one of those late-rising Beilein kids. If Jackson is really the #60 player in the country it'll be bench minutes for a year or two. If he ends up shooting into fringe top 25 range he could force his way onto the court early.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
Jackson's the first commit in 2020 and will be the only point guard. It's a fool's errand to attempt to project basketball departures two years out. Michigan will have at least one more slot as Jon Teske graduates, and probably two or three more as the NBA comes calling and certain guys get locked out of playing time. Given current trends, all of those players will be 6'8" ball handlers and shooters.
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:17 PM ^
Zed's dead. Long live Zeb.
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:24 PM ^
Welcome Zeb, way to GoBlue!
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:48 PM ^
Hello posts again?
Excellent.
Maybe now we'll get the Cornell Wheeler one.
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:52 PM ^
Should be playing at St. Francis, they would be stacked..
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:52 PM ^
Should be playing at St. Francis, they would be stacked..
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:54 PM ^
"Given current trends, all of those players will be 6'8" ball handlers and shooters."
Yes plz
October 24th, 2018 at 10:21 AM ^
I don't think that was an accurate statement. The most recent offer was to a top 50 6'4" SG, Ethan Morton of PA. I expect the class to be filled by a big and a wing. The wing might be anywhere from 6'4" to 6'9".
October 24th, 2018 at 9:15 PM ^
I read that as draft prospects, not recruits.
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:59 PM ^
Any idea how he does in the classroom?
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:03 PM ^
he’s smart enough to pick us over MSU
October 24th, 2018 at 12:02 PM ^
His school has a pretty interesting curriculum. It's a very expensive private school. I think he should be fine at Michigan.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:00 PM ^
He looks like he is 13 in the first picture.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:04 PM ^
you been around here long enough to know you shouldn’t say that. There was a meltdown three years ago when someone’s similar comment was read by a recruit and he tweeted about it
October 24th, 2018 at 1:20 PM ^
I was also thinking he looked young until I pulled up a YouTube highlight, and the first thing I saw was a drive down the lane and a MAN'S dunk. He'll be ready.
October 24th, 2018 at 1:30 PM ^
Nothing wrong with playing like a man among boys.
Reminds me of Caris. I look forward to watching him developing as well.
EDIT: Didn't refresh to see your post above me. But obviously, I second your opinion.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:16 PM ^
Zeb attends Maumee Valley Country day, not Maumee High School.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:29 PM ^
If it’s reported that he’s always in the gym practicing, how is it that one of his “areas of improvement” is level of commitment?
Seems like one wouldn’t follow from the other.
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:20 PM ^
it's the Pokemon gym
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:54 PM ^
My high school was in a conference with Maumee Valley. I was stunned to see that you are correct and the post is wrong.
October 24th, 2018 at 12:04 PM ^
I went to a school in the TAAC as well and am pretty surprised he's there. Then again, most kids get evaluated and improve based on AAU. HS is secondary at this point. Most kids play pretty poor competition in high school unless you go to one of the massive prep schools.
October 24th, 2018 at 4:21 PM ^
That's where the bulk of evaluation comes from is at the AAU events, not high school where they're facing a bunch of scrubs who won't sniff D1 ball. AAU gives you a better idea since they're facing a bunch of D1 kids.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:46 PM ^
I wouldn't be surprised to see him reach consensus top 50 territory in the next year. He's a high upside guy and he's still probably getting used to the growth spurt. Really awesome get by Beilein here.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:52 PM ^
Welcome Zeb! You have made a great choice.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:58 PM ^
I'll take a 16 ear old kid who has his skill-set every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Terrific kid with a very high ceiling.
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:16 PM ^
Damn. He looks quick as hell. Oooooo weee
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:38 PM ^
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:57 PM ^
Love beileins trend of getting very skilled players who need to develop physically. Sanderson's dream, really. Expect lots of great crossovers with his long arms. In the videos, he displays fundamentals and has a good foundation to grow to an elite player. He buckles his knees inward when he jumps/shoots though, something sanderson is working hard on with matthews.
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:45 PM ^
Zeb seems like a complete player offensively and I feel confident he will develop defensively as well. Beilein's recruiting seems to be staying at a very high level for several classes now. And he's a perfect fit for Michigan - likely a pro talent who will stay at least a couple years.
I see him as combination of Levert and Burke, lol.
Sky's the limit for Zeb! Very exciting!
October 24th, 2018 at 2:06 AM ^
Zeb! Please clap.
October 24th, 2018 at 6:54 AM ^
So he's basically carsen Edwards, but taller and a better passer. Awesome! Go blue!!
October 24th, 2018 at 12:11 PM ^
where does Endless Motor/Matt D have Zeb ranked? at this stage, it makes more sense to look at them than ESPN.
October 24th, 2018 at 5:53 PM ^
Reminds me of Caris as well Brian.
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