Future KU Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson draws rave reviews during McDonald’s week

Future Kansas men’s basketball point guard/shooting guard Elmarko Jackson solidified his status as one of the top high school senior prospects in the country at McDonald’s All-America practices and scrimmages as well as the actual game this week in Houston.

Jackson a 6-foot-3 senior from South Kent (Connecticut) High School, was ranked as the No. 7 prospect of the 24 players assembled in Houston, which is also site of the 2023 Final Four.

The Marlton, New Jersey native scored seven points on 3-of-6 shooting (1-of-2 from three) in the East team’s 109-106 victory over the West in the McDonald’s game played Tuesday at Toyota Center. Jackson added one assist against three turnovers and grabbed one rebound while playing 18 minutes for the East. He ripped home a breakaway dunk with three minutes to play, a bucket that provided his team a one-point lead.

“The upward trend Elmarko Jackson has seen in his game continued this week. The strong and sturdy point guard was able to showcase both his explosive burst and his crafty change of pace,” recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw of On3.com wrote on Wednesday.

“Jackson, who grew up a lacrosse player, has some of the best speed with the ball in his hands (of anybody in the recruiting Class of 2023). In the past year, he has worked on slowing things down. And while he is still developing his reads and deliveries, the returns have been noticeable. There is a lot to like about the future Kansas Jayhawk,” Shaw added.

Jackson is the No. 22-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2023 by ESPN.com and 247sports.com and No. 27 by Rivals.com.

Future Kentucky combo guard DJ Wagner was ranked the top player of McDonald’s week (by Shaw) followed by power forward Aaron Bradshaw (Kentucky), small forward Ron Holland (Texas), point guard Isaiah Collier (USC), shooting guard Stephon Castle (UConn), small forward Justin Edwards (Kentucky), Jackson, wing Bronny James (undecided), shooting guard Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor) and combo guard Aden Holloway (Auburn).

Cyclones’ Omaha Biliew has outstanding week

Power forward Omaha Biliew, who chose Iowa State over KU and others in recruiting, didn’t make Shaw’s top 10 list, but nonetheless had a good week, Shaw wrote.

“Iowa State signee Omaha Biliew might have been the premier defensive presence in this event. His ability to switch and defend down a line up while being able to defend the post was on display through the drills and practice session. The 6-foot-8 power forward even knocked down threes comfortably during the week. There was a lot of good to come out of the week for him,” Shaw wrote.

Of future Longhorn Holland, Shaw wrote: “A ranking this high was from Holland’s full week body for work. For starters, he competed. In each setting, drill, game, or scrimmage, Holland brought the competitive juices. He will need to continue working on his game in the halfcourt, but clear progress has been made. Also, at 6-8, the Texas signee was a menace on the defensive end. He used his length, quick-twitch, and anticipation to terrorize the passing lanes. And he would quickly turn defense into offense, finishing with high-flying, acrobatic dunks. Holland is young for his grade, so his body will need to continue filling out. But make no mistake; he produced all week. Holland finished the game with 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals while going 5-for-8 from the field.”

Dick’s Sporting Goods signs Wilson

Kansas forward Jalen Wilson has signed an NIL deal with Dick’s Sporting Goods in advance of Saturday’s Final Four semifinal games in Houston, ON3sports.com has reported.

Wilson, a consensus first-team All-American and Big 12 player of the year will take virtual holographic photos with fans at fanfests in Houston and Dallas. Also signing with Dick’s: Gonzaga‘s Drew Timme, UCLA‘s Jaime Jaquez and Houston‘s Marcus Sasser.

G3 Marketing facilitated the deals on behalf of Dick’s Sporting Goods. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.