Jackson using EYBL play as springboard to five-star status

Hampton, Va. -- So far this spring, few players have enhanced their reputation as much as four-star power forward Jaren Jackson. On the Hampton stop of the EYBL’s final day, the junior showed why he deserves serious consideration for a bump to five-star status

The rise to prominence of 6-foot-10 power forward Jaren Jackson isn’t one that can be considered too surprising. But it hasn’t exactly been expected, either.

Ranked No. 63 in the class of 2017, the Indianapolis (Ind.) Park Tudor product has always shown flashes of considerable ability. This spring with the Spiece Indy Heat on the EYBL circuit, it’s all come together for him.

Jackson, who is young for his class, won’t turn 17 until September, and he’s benefited from a recent growth spurt. Most important is his skill level. Jackson can face and shoot to three-point range, he can put the ball on the floor, he’s developing into a high end athlete and he uses either hand.

He finished off his weekend with 23 points, six rebounds and three blocks. The interest continues to grow in Jackson. He listed offers from Maryland, Michigan State, Georgetown (where his father, Jaren Sr., played before a long NBA career), Indiana, Butler, Notre Dame, Purdue, Alabama and Pittsburgh, among others.

Canada based CIA Bounce finished off their weekend in strong fashion, blowing out the Georgia Stars 97-67. They did so behind the strength of a pair of talented sophomores. One, five-star power forward Simisola Shittu, is already well known, while the other, four-star forward Ignas Brazdeikis, is about to be well known.

Ranked No. 6 overall in the class of 2018, Shittu -- who attends Montverde (Fla.) Prep -- played the part with tremendous energy and physicality around the rim while scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. He’s got offers from the likes of Texas, Syracuse, Marquette and Connecticut and has had a strong spring.

Then there’s Brazdeikis, who is coming on fast. Standing around 6-foot-7, he’s skilled, he’s tough and he can score in a variety of ways. His 18 points and eight rebounds seemed to come easy and he looks like a very legitimate high-major target. Oregon and Tennessee have dropped early offers on the Mono (Ontario) Orangeville Prep product.

How high Collin Sexton will rise from No. 59 in 2017 is still to be determined, but he could be in the discussion for five-star status. He’s probably a more natural two guard than one at about 6-foot-1, but he’s an intense competitor and almost impossible to stay in front of. He didn’t have a great shooting game but finished with 32 points. He postponed a planned unofficial to Florida and mentioned that getting there and to Kansas and Arizona is on the horizon. Auburn, Iowa State, Alabama, Texas A&M, Texas, Missouri, Georgia and LSU are among others who have offered scholarships.

Five-star small forward Kevin Knox easily played up to his No. 7 ranking in 2017 during a 21-point outing for Each 1 Teach 1. He continues to improve his skill level and is also showing a confidence and swagger about him that is newfound. His team doesn’t allow players to give school lists but Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State and others are heavily involved.

A teammate of Knox’s on E1T1, Bruno Fernando of Montverde (Fla.) Academy, made some noise. After finishing No. 96 in the 2016 Rivals150 and committing to SMU, Fernando has decided to open his recruitment and take a year of prep school, putting him in the class of 2017. He and Montverde teammate Silvio De Sousa (ranked No. 2 in 2018) played bull ball near the rim while combing for 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Headed to Saxton River (Vt.) Vermont Academy for a year of prep school, 6-foot-7 forward Jordan Nwora is looking like a four-star prospect. He can shoot the lights out from deep and has enough size to play as a stretch four-man if needed. He listed recent offers from Pittsburgh, USC, Oklahoma State, Rutgers, Florida, Florida State, Xavier, Marquette, Seton Hall, Memphis and Connecticut. His most recent trip was an April unofficial visit to Seton Hall.

Rugged big man Xavier Tillman played up to his No. 78 overall in the 2017 ranking, finishing his weekend with the Spiece Indy Heat by scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Well built and physical, Tillman seems like a natural for the Big Ten. Also impressive for Spiece all weekend was point guard Justin Roberts. The 5-foot-11 floor general definitely deserves consideration for the next 2017 Rivals150. He finished with 19 points and six assists.

Maybe one of the hardest prospects to figure out in 2017 is 6-foot-9 power forward Lance Thomas of Team United. United hasn’t had much success in the EYBL as a team but Thomas is real intriguing. He looks to be able to handle well, has a nice looking jumper and is pretty mobile. However, he hunts too many jumpers and doesn’t use his size enough around the basket. He’s currently ranked No. 134 overall, which is fair given his overall production. However, with some consistency and a more well balanced game he could see his ranking soar. Miami, Virginia Tech, Florida, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Rutgers, USC and Clemson are among those to offer scholarships.

The A.O.T. (Athletes of Tomorrow) Rebels took home the15U crown while the New Jersey Playaz survived a double overtime thriller to win the 16U title. We will break down some names to know from each division later this week. There was no title decided in 17U play as the EYBL is still in league play leading up to the Peach Jam finals in July.