Risky Boom-or-Bust Prospect #4: GG Jackson II, South Carolina
It’s always a risk to reclassify and play college basketball when most kids are headed to prom or playing in their senior season. It’s worked out with players like Anthony Edwards and Shaedon Sharpe, but as seen with players like Emoni Bates and Khristian Lander, it’s not always guaranteed that players are ready for the more physically demanding NCAA environment as a teenager.
That didn’t stop GG Jackson II from decommitting as a 2023 prospect for North Carolina, reclassifying to the 2022 high school class, and staying home at South Carolina. In his lone season for the Gamecocks, Jackson II had a number of thrilling highs and troubling lows that make him a classic boom-or-bust prospect.
From the positive perspective, it’s incredibly impressive that an 18-year-old freshman was able to be the second-leading scorer on an SEC team. Jackson II had a long leash, but he frequently showed off his improving handle, deep shooting stroke, and raw athletic ability that made him a highly-touted high school recruit:
It’s gone under the radar that GG Jackson measured over 6’8”+ without shoes at the combine.
— Brayden Todd (@Bray__NBA) June 3, 2023
He’s BIG. That size + ball-handling ability will bode very well for him as a slasher at the next level. pic.twitter.com/lreLjTwHwo
The bust side of the equation comes from the fact that he couldn’t defend well, barely passed the ball, and had major efficiency and decision-making concerns. If an NBA team feels comfortable with giving him time and reps to iron those wrinkles out of his game, he could develop into a future star in their system. If Jackson II can’t shake those bad habits, however, there’s enough Anthony Bennett in his game that he could find himself out of the NBA sooner than later.