text: HSOT Takeout: Justin Jackson - Basketball Recruiting - Scout
  HSOT Takeout: Justin JacksonRob Harrington12/29/2013For many North Carolina fans, the High School OT Invitational provided them their first opportunity to watch senior wing recruit Jackson. The slender Texan met and arguably surpassed expectations at the three-day event.Improvement should be viewed as a given for a player as polished as Justin Jackson. The top-10 wing exited last summer with the reputation for being one of the most refined players in the Class of 2014, yet the Jackson who showed up at the HSOT Invitational demonstrated real progress over the past six months. Most of the improvement manifested in the form of his three-point jump shot. Jackson actually had made his name as an underclassman based on long-distance shooting, but on the 2013 EYBL circuit he became a more reluctant marksman from distance. No one complained much, given that he scored at an absurdly efficient clip from the middle- and short-range areas. I commented in July that he had become a full-time set shooter, pitching his three-pointers that became flat and lacked the smoothness he showed from elsewhere. He still knocked down threes, but his game looked more mechanical from 20 feet and beyond. But at the HSOT, he clearly had tweaked his delivery. Jackson jumped into his threes, and while he'll never be confused for Glen Rice that bit of elevation made him far accurate in Raleigh. Exploding into their jump shot is a prime way for flat shooters to compensate for that issue, and Jackson will need to give the three-point deprived Tar Heels pop from deep. Arc aside, he also remains a dynamic, tricky scorer from everywhere else. Jackson goes from catch to shot extremely quickly, and he doesn't need a clean look, to have his feet under him or to be at all on-balance. He uses the glass well, slides under shotblockers and feels defensive help quickly to maneuver for better options. Addressing his lack of muscle looms as primary need for improvement, and unlike his three-ball his body likely will require a longer-term fix. He's a naturally slight player who can get bulled around defensively and under the backboards, and thus he projects as a very tall wing rather than someone who could slide down to the four spot for long stretches. Beyond that, what more can you say about a top-10 talent? Jackson should step into the rotation next season in Chapel Hill and deliver production immediately. Share on Facebook Share on TwitterTrending on ScoutMMDF: Logan Johnson one of west's top PGsUAA: Prentiss Hubb breaks down Notre DameMMDF: Three stand out for Woodburyadidas: Hurt excels in spring debutEYBL: Several pursuing four-star JohnsShare & EmbedUAA: 2018 Saddiq Bey talks big spring Full StoryScout Hoops Top StoriesUAA: Prentiss Hubb breaks down Notre DameGARDEN GROVE, Calif. -- 2018 four-star point guard Prentiss Hubb committed to Notre Dame less than two weeks ago. What led to the decision? Hubb broke down the decision to Scout…by Evan DanielsScout Hoops7:25 AMEYBL One-on-one with Wisconsin commit HerroTHOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Wisconsin landed Scout's 43rd ranked prospect in 2018 in Tyler Herro. Scout caught up with the four-star prospect at the Nike EYBL.by Josh GershonScout HoopsYesterday at 1:35 PMEYBL: Several pursuing four-star JohnsTHOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Brandon Johns is one of the most versatile power forwards in the 2018 class. Which schools are involved with the four-star prospect?by Josh GershonScout HoopsYesterday at 1:04 PMUAA: 2018 Saddiq Bey talks big springGARDEN GROVE, Calif. -- 2018 forward Saddiq Bey is one of the many players that took advantage of the spring evaluation periods to increase his stock among college coaches. Bey…by Evan DanielsScout HoopsYesterday at 12:59 PMMade Hoops: 2019 C Carl Lewis shows abilityGARDEN GROVE, Calif. -- The Made Hoops/CP3 Memorial Day Classic tipped off on Friday at the Next Level sports facility and 2019 big man Carl Lewis was among the most talented…by Evan DanielsScout HoopsYesterday at 9:57 AMMMDF: Three stand out for WoodburyORANGE, Calif. - Trey Woodbury is out of action this weekend due to injury, but the 2018 Vegas Elite shooting guard is still one of the best prospects in attendance at the Magic…by Josh GershonScout Hoops5:26 PMMMDF: Logan Johnson one of west's top PGsORANGE, Calif. - The Magic Memorial Day Festival always has a good share of the west's top prospects and this weekend has been no different. On Sunday, Logan Johnson solidified his…by Josh GershonScout Hoops5:00 PMadidas: Phinisee talks top schoolsHOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill - Four-star point guard Rob Phinisee helped Indiana Elite clinch a bid in the adidas Gauntlet Finale with a big showing in suburban Chicago, and talked about…by Brian SnowScout Hoops4:31 PMadidas: Hurt excels in spring debutHOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill - Five-star forward Matthew Hurt made his spring debut at the Chicago Classic and showed he is back at full strength and as talented as ever.by Brian SnowScout HoopsYesterday at 11:54 PMHighlights of Top 50 2019 PF Isaac JohnsonIsaac Johnson is Scout's 42nd ranked prospect in 2019. Here are highlights of the versatile power forward at the adidas Gauntlet.by Josh GershonScout HoopsFriday at 1:46 PMTwo standing out for 2018 post Nathan MensahNathan Mensah has multiple West Coast programs seriously recruiting him; who stands out for the 2018 center?by Josh GershonScout HoopsFriday at 1:09 PM2018 PG James Akinjo adds two offersJames Akinjo is one of the top point guards on the west in 2018. The three-star prospect recently picked up a couple of offers and discussed them with Scout.by Josh GershonScout HoopsFriday at 12:03 PMLoad More