Marreon Jackson (2017) commits to Toledo
After committing to Toledo on Monday, Garfield Heights junior Marreon Jackson is feeling thankful. This is one of his goals and a special moment for his whole family.
“It means a lot for my parents because they don’t have to pay for college, and that’s always a good thing,” Jackson said. “I just want to take basketball to a professional level so I can give back to my family.”
The 5-foot-10 point guard is a lightning quick floor general that is always looking to set up his teammates. In his first full-year as a starter, he’s part of the reason his team is a D1 state title contender.
Playing basketball at a Division I school is a dream of his, and he is happy to have now fulfilled that.
“It’s a blessing,” Jackson said. “None of my family ever had the chance to go to a Division I school to play sports.”
Jackson’s other offers included Robert Morris, Buffalo and Cleveland State, but there was something special about Toledo.
“When I visited, it was a family environment,” Jackson said. “It felt like home. It felt like Garfield Heights. They play my type of game. The coach lets the point guard play.”
Although he still has a full summer and his senior season ahead of him, it was important for Jackson to get his recruitment finished early.
“I just wanted to get it off my chest so I can just focus on getting this ring for the rest of the season,” Jackson said.”
Jackson is the fourth player on this year’s Garfield Heights team to commit to a Division I school. That includes seniors Willie Jackson (Missouri), Frankie Hughes (Louisville), and Braun Hartfield (Youngstown State).
The first commit in the Class of 2017 for Toledo, Jackson currently has two point guards ahead of him on the depth chart when he arrives at school. He could be in line for minutes right away.
“They want me to come in play right away, and that’s all I want to do,” Jackson said. “They want me to be more aggressive, a leader and to work on my defense.”