Maryland basketball head coach Kevin Willard will begin hosting his top targets for official visits next month, while St. John’s (DC) point guard Omari Witherspoon was on campus for an unofficial visit on Thursday. Another top target included the Terps in his top group as Compass Prep (AZ) three-star forward Marcus Jackson released his top eight on Friday afternoon.
Jackson, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward, included Maryland alongside Auburn, Arizona State, Virginia, Georgetown, Tennessee, New Mexico and Iowa. Jackson is also set to take an official visit to Maryland Sept. 5-6 alongside Calvary Christian (FL) top-50 prospect Shon Abaev after the two teamed up at the Under Armour Next Elite 24 camp. Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia are also in the mix for visits while Auburn, Iowa and New Mexico are ironing out official visit dates.
Assistant Greg Manning Jr. has led the way with the Baltimore native and Team Thrill star as Maryland looks to pair Jackson with freshman phenom and former AAU teammate, Derik Queen. As the Terps look to lean on their connections and tight-knit relationship with Jackson through their year-long pursuit, the three-star forward led the way for Team Thrill into the 17U championship this summer after averaging 15 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. After shining at John Marshall (VA) during his junior year, Jackson made the offseason transfer to Compass Prep (AZ).
Jackson will look to make his commitment close to the beginning of his senior season, though a finalized timeline remains fluid.
“That’s what I’m thinking; the end of the year and maybe the start of my season,” Jackson said this week. “It’s a big decision, so I have to go through the process with everything so I can make the right decision for me.”
Marcus Jackson is rated a three-star prospect and 88 overall by On3, checking in as the nation’s 44th-best power forward and ninth-best prospect in Arizona.
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