CHICAGO — While many of the McDonald’s All-Americans spent Tuesday’s media day soaking up the hype and media attention, four uncommitted recruits did so with a big decision looming.
Uncommitted wing prospect Josh Jackson says he’s already made that decision. Now he just needs to decide how and when to announce it to the world.
“It’s clear in my mind [where I’m going],” Jackson said about his decision, which he says has wavered at times.
For now, Jackson says his busy schedule is holding up an announcement or a date on which it will happen. He said any official announcement will “probably” take place after the April 9 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland.
“I really want my family and close friends to be around,” Jackson said. “So it’s hard to do it when I got an event like this and then next week Hoop Summit. [It’ll happen] just whenever I can get a break.”
In terms of what he thought about when making his decision, Jackson talked about the need to feel comfortable in order to succeed and win at the next level.
“Trust is definitely gonna be a huge factor,” he said. “I just wanna be around people that I can trust, and feel like I consider them family. I wanna be under a coach who’s gonna push me and try to make me better as a player.”
That sort of connection is something that Jackson said he found with Arizona head coach Sean Miller. Jackson played under Miller last summer with the USA U-19 team and says that he’s the coach that’s been recruiting him the hardest.
Miller called Jackson after the Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament loss to Wichita State, but Jackson said their conversation was lighthearted and concerned Miller’s sweaty shirt rather than the game itself.
“He and I have a really close relationship,” Jackson said about Miller. “I think he was a good coach. Out of the short span of time that we spent together I can honestly say that he made me a better player.”
Michigan State and Kansas remain firmly on Jackson’s radar as well, along with other schools. Fellow McDonald’s All-American and Michigan State commit Miles Bridges has already reached out to Jackson several times, even if some of his recruiting pitches are just joking around.
“Definitely Miles Bridges, by far,” said Jackson with a laugh when asked about what player’s been in his ear the most. “Probably every day. He knows when to stop, though. He knows when he needs to lay off a little bit.”
Jackson is from Michigan and grew up a Spartans fan, but it remains to be seen if he will join Tom Izzo’s crew this fall.
In terms of the All-American Game itself, Jackson sees it as an opportunity to have fun before his decision comes and the hard work begins.
“[Looking forward to] winning and being able to talk trash about it later.”
While many of the McDonald’s All-Americans spent Tuesday’s media day soaking up the hype and media attention, four uncommitted recruits did so with a big decision looming.N
