NCAA Basketball: Ranking top 7 teams for five-star PG Elmarko Jackson
2. Villanova Wildcats
As the closest program to home, Villanova may have a better shot than expected. Even without Hall of Famer Jay Wright as head coach, newcomer Kyle Neptune is highly respected by local recruits. It’s a new-age “blue blood” program and the kind of the Big East and also will be losing veteran guards, Caleb Daniels and likely Justin Moore after this season.
There’s a question as to who will run point guard for the program right now. It could be Angelo Brizzi or four-star combo guard freshman Mark Armstrong and right now, Jackson would be better than all options. But if someone emerges as a starting-caliber playmaker this season, that could easily affect Jackson’s potential role in the program as well since they likely wouldn’t be leaving. And it’s not a guarantee that Coach Neptune will keep the program in contention. There are pros that make them a No. 1 option but cons that could leave them out.
1. Kansas Jayhawks
The national champions lost star guard Remy Martin this offseason but he actually wasn’t the starter. It’s returning Dajuan Harris Jr. who is one of the top individual defenders in NCAA Basketball but doesn’t provide much in scoring. There’s also sophomore Bobby Pettiford and Joseph Yesufu, who transferred from Drake the year prior yet didn’t play much last season.
With Texas Tech transfer Kevin McCullar around for just one year most likely, there’s room for Jackson to play at the one or two-spot. The Jayhawks have a history of playing multiple ball-handlers and there is some concern that Jackson and Harris wouldn’t be a perfect match.
Next. Preseason top-25 mid-major power rankings for 2022-23. dark
Yet this is one of the top programs in the sport and Coach Self has developed a number of players for the NBA. It’s a great place for him to develop and eventually be a lead piece for what’s always a title-contending team.