GG Jackson

GG Jackson was the 2022 South Carolina Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year and a two-time state champion with Ridge View High School after averaging 22.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. Jackson was a consensus top collegiate prospect for the 2023 recruiting class. However, Jackson reclassified into the 2022 collegiate class, ultimately joining the South Carolina program after initially committing to UNC. Jackson is a Columbia, South Carolina native and represents the youngest player eligible for the 2023 NBA Draft -- still just 18 years old. Jackson averaged 15.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game during his one-and-done campaign at South Carolina. Jackson plays at his own rhythm and has the tools to be an elite self-creator. He was asked to create shots outside of his comfort zone in college, as South Carolina's offense was jumbled. He projects as a more efficient player once comfortable in a well-oiled NBA offense, but Jackson may still be a go-to option when the possession needs a bail out. He's shown an ability to fill different roles on offense -- ballhandler, screener, cutter, post-up -- due to his fluidity, shooting ability and size. Jackson fits the Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams scoring mold. His success as a rookie may depend on whether the coach is comfortable letting Jackson take things into his own hands, or if the desire is for the forward to play within a rigid system. A mix of both might create the right type of environment for Jackson to operate in a sixth-man role, whether it be in 2023 or later down the line.