G. G. Jackson

Gregory “G. G.” Jackson II (born December 17, 2004) is an American college basketball player for the South Carolina Gamecocks of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

G. G. Jackson
Jackson with South Carolina in 2022
No. 23 – South Carolina Gamecocks
PositionPower forward / Center
LeagueSoutheastern Conference
Personal information
Born (2004-12-17) December 17, 2004
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High schoolRidge View
(Columbia, South Carolina)
College
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship
Gold medal – first place2022 MexicoTeam

Early life and high school

Jackson grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and attended Ridge View High School.[1] As a sophomore, he averaged 15.8 points and 10 rebounds as Ridge View won the South Carolina Class 5A State Championship.[2] Jackson was named the South Carolina Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 22.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game and leading the Blazers to a second straight state title in his junior season.[3]

Recruitment

Jackson was rated a five-star recruit and was the consensus best collegiate prospect for the 2023 recruiting class. He initially committed to play college basketball at North Carolina (UNC) shortly after the conclusion of his junior season after considering offers from Auburn, Duke, Georgetown, and South Carolina.[4][5] Jackson later decommitted from UNC, becoming the first player to do so since J. R. Smith in 2003.[6] He ultimately reclassified to the class of 2022 and enrolled at South Carolina.[7][8] Jackson's commitment made him the highest-ranked recruit in school history.[9]

College career

Jackson entered his freshman season at South Carolina as the Gamecocks' starting power forward.[10] He was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Week for the first week of the season after averaging 15 points and nine rebounds in his first two career games.[11] Jackson was benched after shooting 0–8 and scoring no points in an 85-42 loss to Tennessee.[12] In the following game he scored 16 points off the bench in a 71-68 win over Kentucky.[13] Jackson finished the season as the Gamecocks' leading scorer with 15.4 points per game and also led the team with 26 blocks and 24 steals.[14] Following the end of the season he entered the 2023 NBA draft.[15]

National team

Jackson played for the United States under-18 basketball team at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship.[16]

References
  1. Branham, Travis (July 30, 2020). "2023 PF G.G. Jackson emerges as a high major prospect". 247Sports.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  2. "Where SC top basketball prospects stand in recruiting". The State. June 22, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  3. "How freshman star GG Jackson fits with South Carolina men's basketball". The Greenville News. October 12, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  4. "5-star recruit GG Jackson commits to UNC basketball with Hubert Davis". The Fayetteville Observer. April 27, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  5. Cobb, David (April 27, 2022). "UNC basketball recruiting: GG Jackson, five-star forward in 2023 class, commits to Tar Heels". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  6. Borzello, Jeff (July 14, 2022). "No. 6 prospect G.G. Jackson becomes first recruit to decommit from North Carolina men's basketball program since 2003". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  7. Borzello, Jeff (July 23, 2022). "Former North Carolina Tar Heels basketball commit G.G. Jackson reclassifies to 2022 class, commits to South Carolina Gamecocks". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  8. Borzello, Jeff (August 3, 2022). "Can G.G. Jackson make South Carolina men's basketball relevant again? Coaches and scouts weigh in". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  9. Marks, Brendan (July 23, 2022). "GG Jackson commits to South Carolina after reclassifying to Class of 2022". The Athletic. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  10. "GG Jackson has 'the hardest job in all of America,' yet he smiles through it all". Charlotte Observer. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  11. Lyon, Andrew (November 15, 2022). "GG Jackson Named SEC Freshman Of The Week". SI.com. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  12. "Which GG Jackson will show up for USC at Kentucky? Paris trying to push right buttons". The Island Packet. January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  13. "GG Jackson rebounds from benching with 16 points in upset of Kentucky". Post and Courier. January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  14. "Offseason primer: A closer look at Lamont Paris' USC roster as transfer season begins". Charlotte Observer. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  15. "South Carolina's leading scorer Jackson heads to NBA draft". Associated Press. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  16. Anderson, Reggie (June 3, 2022). "GG Jackson earns a spot on USA U18 National Team". WLTX.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
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