Recruiting Report: Wade Jackson (2020)

One of the best available guard in the local 2020 class, Wade Jackson has improved considerably in the last several months, and quite clearly plans to continue doing so. Jackson recently transferred from Gonzaga to St. Vincent Pallotti, and this was obviously one of the most significant offseason acquisitions in the area given his stellar play this summer with the District Basketball Club. During a recent interview with Prep Hoops, he provided an update on his recruitment while touching on his goals and much more. 

PH: Describe your game for those who haven’t seen you play.

WJ: “I describe myself as an all-around player. One who can light it up on the offensive end but at the same time come down and play lights out defense. I play with a high basketball IQ. For example, I pride myself in recognizing offensive and defensive sets and quickly communicating to my teammates during the game. Also, when I’m on the court I try to limit my turnovers.”

PH: What’s something you do on the court that won’t show up on the stat sheet?

WJ: “Definitely deflections. I always get my hands in passing lanes. Also my shot altering ability is great I think for my size. I might not always get the block, but I make the shot much more difficult. I think my leadership is probably the biggest thing. Since I am older than most kids on my team that allows me to be the quarterback on the court.”

PH: Explain your role for the upcoming season.

“This season I have to be a leader on both sides of the floor. At this moment our team is somewhat young so I have to bring that level of maturity on the court to help us win and like always I have to score at a high rate. I also want to give a shout-out to my backcourt teammate Anthony Blunt. He is another top D1 guard at Pallotti.”

PH: Who is recruiting you?

“Offers from Radford, Fairfield, Loyola (Maryland). Interest from NJIT, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Air Force, Delaware, and Niagara.”

PH: Which schools have you visited? Which schools do you want to visit?

“I’ve visited Radford and the University of Delaware. I want to visit all the schools interested and those who offer.”

PH: What are some important factors in your college decision?

“Playing time or the ability to compete for a starting spot would be the biggest factor I take in consideration before committing.”

PH: What do you want to study?

“I like Business/Finance, Sports Management, and Computer Science. I really enjoyed my programming classes at Gonzaga.”

PH: What are your goals? Short-term, intermediate, and long-term?

“Short-term: To start my new school strong academically and in the fall league, improve my basketball game, and narrow my destination for college. Intermediate: Help Pallotti have a strong year in the MIAA. Help them go far into the playoffs, and improve my basketball game going into college. Long-term: To work hard at whatever I am doing, enjoy life, and be successful. And if I am still playing basketball, to improve my game.”

PH: What can you bring to a college program?

“I just want coaches to know that they will get a player who plays with an edge all the time. A player that doesn’t like losing. Off the court I am laid back, but on the court I do not respect anyone. I’m hungry. I figure by me being overlooked or a late bloomer, I am just cracking the surface of my ability, so I have a huge chip on both my shoulders. And if I forget about that chip, I just have to briefly reflect on why it was there. Also, I want coaches to know that I am a good teammate who is in the gym, in the weight room, and is getting better everyday. The player you saw a couple months ago is not the player I am today. I am better.”

Wade Jackson is currently ranked by Prep Hoops as a top-35 prospect in his class. To view the full ranking of Maryland and DC’s 2020 class, click here.