NCAA Basketball: Ranking top 7 teams for five-star PG Elmarko Jackson

4. Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are a more extreme version of Texas in terms of playing at a slower pace, as they’re No. 1 or 2 in NCAA Basketball annually in that category. Still, playing for head coach Tony Bennett has its benefits and the program has a history of sending players to the NBA. It’s also a team that will lose Kihei Clark after this year and potentially lose Reece Beekman as well.

Virginia’s defensive system would be a great fit for Jackson and at the same time, his size and passing ability can make the offense as potent as possible. If Beekman doesn’t go pro, it could be an awkward year of them sharing the backcourt since Jackson would primarily want the ball but having two ball-handlers has worked for them in the past and it could work with those two.

3. UCLA Bruins

The Bruins have senior guard Tyger Campbell and five-star and top-5 overall freshman Amari Bailey as the projected starters in the backcourt. There’s a greater than 85% chance that both are gone, potentially leaving the backcourt wide open for Jackson to come in and run the offense. The team does have a couple of former top-50 recruits in Will McClendon and freshman Dylan Anderson but assuming those starters leave, there will be plenty of room for everyone.

If another five-star prospect (Isaiah Collier) doesn’t pick the Bruins, look for them to go after Jackson that much harder. Playing in Los Angeles has its advantages and Mick Cronin is another defensive-minded head coach but seems to be more free-flowing on offense compared to the others. It’s a good option that could turn into a great one soon.