Midlands junior basketball prospect earns No. 1 ranking by Rivals recruiting service
For some time now, Ridge View’s G.G. Jackson has emerged as one of the top high school basketball players in the country.
One ranking service says he’s the best for Class of 2023. Rivals has Jackson as its No. 1 prospect in its latest rankings released on Thursday.
Ridge View coach Yerrick Stoneman says his star player is worthy of the top billing for his class. Stoneman has seen top-tier talent over the years as a coach, watching the likes of future NBA All-Stars Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Josh Smith and Rajon Rondo from his 11 years as an assistant at Oak Hill.
“All those guys are different players, and the game has changed, but he is as good as those guys if not better than some of them in my eyes,” Stoneman told The State this week. “We aren’t satisfied and we have to make sure he continues to work and get better.
“With this ranking, he has to continue to work even harder. He is going to have to really stay focused even more than he was because now everyone is coming for him. … Every time he steps on the court, somebody is coming after him. His goal isn’t to become a college basketball player. His ultimate goal is to be an NBA player. And when he achieves that, it will be to an all-star, a hall of famer.”
Jackson joins Camden girls basketball player Joyce Edwards as No. 1 recruits in the country for their class. Edwards is ranked No. 1 by ESPN’s HoopGurlz rankings for Class of 2024.
As a sophomore, Jackson was ranked No. 26 for Class of 2023 and has continually moved his way up the rankings.
The 6-foot-10 Jackson has been one of the most sought-after prospects in South Carolina since Zion Williamson a few years ago. He has taken official visits to Virginia, Georgetown, North Carolina, Duke and will take an official visit to South Carolina on Feb. 19. He has taken several unofficial visits to USC’s campus.
Jackson was at the Smith Center on Saturday for the Duke-North Carolina matchup. Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams was at practice on Wednesday, and Duke assistant coach Nolan Smith was at Ridge View’s game at Rock Hill on Tuesday.
Jackson is averaging 22 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game this season. The Blazers will close out the regular season on Friday at home against rival Blythewood.
“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,” Stoneman said.
This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Midlands junior basketball prospect earns No. 1 ranking by Rivals recruiting service."
