One of the top overall prospects in Arizona's 2018 class of players is Tucson's Sunnyside High School 6-foot-8, 195-pound junior forward Nikc Jackson. A native of Michigan, moving to the state of Arizona last summer, Jackson is a superb talent and is coming off an excellent inaugural high school season for himself. For his efforts and promise as a college prospect, Jackson is one Arizona prospect definitely on the rise.
Jackson emerged immediately as a division-I prospect upon moving to the state of Arizona last summer. He did not disappoint this high school season either - averaging impressive numbers on the high school season. While leading his Sunnyside HS program to an 18-11 overall record on the season, Jackson averaged 18.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per/game.
Jackson is also coming off an excellent start to the 2017 club season, while traveling with his Powerhouse Hoops Black team. The team is off to an undefeated start to the club season - winning this year's Baylor All-Star Classic in Chicago, Illinois, and defeating the historic Mac Irvin Fire in the event's championship game. Jackson was a major force in the team's ability to win it all.
Jackson is a superb talent for college coaches to begin pursuing with vigor, as this young man is a big-time sleeper prospect in America's 2018 class, and is among the best overall prospects in the West. While many have yet to see him perform, as soon as they do this spring, look for Jackson's recruiting stock to soar and actually blow up.
Currently, Jackson has several offers on the table for himself, as he has received scholarship offers already from Air Force, Central Arkansas and Northern Arizona. Jackson received each of these offers in the fall. He should and is worthy of receiving double-digit offers this spring, which will make for a big summer of recruiting for him in July.
Jackson is an excellent forward prospect that is capable of playing both forward positions on the floor. He is primarily utilized as a 4-man in high school and will be this summer, but he could translate to the 3 position at the collegiate level over time. He is a very skilled and long athletic forward prospect with excellent versatility and a tremendous knack for the basketball. He is an excellent offensive rebounder that uses his length and good timing to keep balls alive and finish plays inside the paint. His length also allows him to be an excellent shotblocker that has the ability to block and keep balls alive, while also changing shots effectively.
Jackson is a very good low-post scorer with excellent footwork, and his left-handed shooting ability makes him difficult to defend around the basket, as he is able to score from different angles off the glass. He is also an effective shooter of the basketball from mid-range and can also step outside to three-point distance and make shots, from the stand-still position or off the dribble, although he is at his best from mid-range.
Jackson also runs the floor very well and is an excellent finisher in the open floor. He plays well above the rim and finishes strong over defenders with dunks, and is able to get to the free-throw line quite often.
This young man has excellent potential for the future and is among the best sleeper prospects in Arizona's 2018 class, and in the West. This spring will be big for Jackson, and I look for him to become one of the hottest prospects in the class by July.