NC-Bound Guard Headed To OSL For SR Year
It has all been widely speculated, rumored, and thoroughly dissected for the past month or so. On Thursday, however, the steady stockpile of varying rumors suddenly morphed into something of a reality.
North Carolina-commit and prized 6-foot-6 Class of 2024 point guard Ian Jackson announced he will be attending Bronx-based Independent power Our Savior Lutheran for his senior year of high school. OSL, which recently received a commitment from blur-quick and smooth left handed 2024 point guard Dellquan Warren to thrive in the Overtime Elite.
Jackson has been a revelation as a big point guard. With the man-child frame of a college-ready veteran, he operated offense as a mismatch and also exploded his way to the rim, finishing in furious fashion. Given the way he elevates and gets off the ground quickly, Jackson is one of the most electrifying finishers in the country.
Ever since the EYBL Session III in Louisville, his junior year of high school, Jackson has taken the most often criticized element of his game and turned it into a strength. Jackson hit nine 3-pointers during that memorable stay in Louisville, Ky. The confidence and surefire shot making presence he developed soon translated into his junior year at Cardinal Hayes HS.
Playing alongside another dead-eye shooter in Syracuse-commit Elijah Moore at then-nationally reputable Cardinal Hayes, Jackson's all around prolific scoring flourished. Though often prone to be more vertically explosive, Jackson matriculated into a dazzling three-level scoring known for his poise and spurt-ability.
Jackson scored 35 points during Hayes' regular season-closing, 74-68 victory over Stepinac. Jackson scored 22 points during a loss to Christ The King. He turned in a team-best 22 points, seven assists, and six steals during a tournament out in Arizona. Jackson was able to instantly shed the label of "athlete." He polished every facet of his game thoroughly, becoming a facilitator with laser-like vision and an innate knack for creating, bettering the fleet of weapons at his disposal.
Defensively, Jackson added considerable muscle to his frame. He appeared more like a big, physically imposing guard, drawing comparisons to former Lincoln HS schoolboy talent Lance Stephenson, who wound up prolonging his career in the NBA after a one year stay at Cincinnati under then coach Mick Cronin. Among the unique draws of playing for OSL is the involvement with the Overtime Elite League. This will give Jackson the opportunity for Jackson to profit off his brand and image and simultaneously pull in a lucrative salary. Such is the nature of today's grass-roots basketball landscape.
While Jackson is now at Our Savior Lutheran, Cardinal Hayes will look to re-load. They recently bid adieu to 7-foot Center Steven Solano, who wound up transferring to La Lumiere Prep in Indiana. While Solano has already left, Hayes will return a dynamic and powerful point guard in highly recruited Class of 2024 Bronx-bred point guard Adam Njie.
During an interview last month with NYCHoops.net, Njie confirmed that he would be staying. That he would likely have more offensive responsibility, given the likelihood of top-tier players and focal point scorers leaving. As of right now, there is no sign that the aforementioned Moore is leaving Hayes. With today's whirlwind, here today gone tomorrow transfer culture, with factors such as money and NIL deals playing a powerful role, nothing is certain until it is certain.