Josh Jackson, the #1 rated recruit in the nation has decided which school he will be attending, with that announcement coming sometime after the McDonald’s All-American Game festivities. The Detroit native grew up an Michigan State fan, and was once considered a MSU Spartans lean, but now Kansas and Arizona have just as much of a chance to acquire his services as State does.
Yesterday, two MSU forward/wings, Marvin Clark and Javon Bess, declared their intentions to transfer out of East Lansing. This announcement was made one day after Jackson revealed that he had indeed made his college choice.
(Related: very early 2016-17 Michigan State season preview)
(Update: Joshua Langford very high on MSU’s Josh Jackson chances, and #TheClass overall)
Some read something into the two announcements, believing they’re related. Others see it as non-correlational coincidence. The truth is, Bess and Clark weren’t going to get much playing time this season anyway, whether or not Jackson comes to East Lansing. The Spartans incoming class adds to the depth that they already have at the position.
Here’s an exclusive regarding what Josh Jackson had to say about Bess and Clark today at McDonald’s All-American Media Day:
“I just heard about that yesterday, can’t really suspect too much, don’t really know their situation of what really happened, people are going to talk but I got to hear it from the horse’s mouth, like what happened and why, for me to believe it.”
(Related: Full National List of All College Basketball Transfers)
(Related: Full National List of All NBA Draft Early Entrants)
Later on, in a group interview format, Josh Jackson was asked whether or not Spartans legend Draymond Green has had a tremendous influence on getting #TheClass to come together. Michigan State’s incoming freshmen are ranked third in the country
“A little bit,” Jackson responded before describing his friendship with Draymond Green.
“I’ve been knowing Draymond for a little while and I feel like he knows, he feels that his experience at Michigan State was pretty great, so we’re so close he wants to me to have that same experience that he did. He just wants to share something with me that he had the opportunity to experience.”
“I love Michigan State. I actually grew up a State fan. So, even if I decide not to go to Michigan State, they’ll always be in my heart, and I’ll always be a fan of them and coach Izzo,” Josh Jackson told the Detroit Free Press.
Jackson is rated the top overall recruit by both Rivals and 24/7. Scout ranks him second and ESPNU third. NBA Draft.net has him going first overall in their 2017 NBA mock draft while Draft Express has him third overall.
Now what about this Vine posted by fellow MCDAA Kobi Simmons? Did this give away the store that Jackson will commit to Arizona?
???? @j_josh11 pic.twitter.com/vNX7zmEKbq
— Shoogs (@JordanKobi) March 28, 2016
“That’s a joke I wouldn’t worry about that,” said Spartans signee Miles Bridges, a very close friend of Jackson’s. Bridges has maintained all along that he knows where Jackson will sign, and that he’s going to keep it hush hush.
“I know where he’s going but I’m going to let him announce,” said Bridges (who we profiled here)
Bess and Clark’s departure may or may not be a signal as to where Jackson will sign, but that could indicate Deyonta Davis is likely to stay in school; hence the abundance of players in the front line.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram