Jackson has been taking on all comers throughout the summer and fall since getting healthy and gradually working into better shape, with Pangos being no exception as he was arguably the most skilled big in attendance on his way to an easy Top 30 all-star selection. The open nature of camp gameplay allowed Jackson the opportunity to showcase his natural ball skills and nimble footwork on a number of coast-to-coast drives in transition. When the situation dictated, he had no issue slowing things down to use his size, burgeoning power, and ambidextrous finishing touch as an imposing presence in the post.

Jackson took over for extended stretches of the all-star game on his way to Co-MVP honors, capping a stock-rising fall that will lead to a significant jump in the upcoming PA rankings update.

One of the safer breakout picks across the state this year, Jackson will vault right into a marquee role as the offensive fulcrum for the storied Roman program after missing his entire freshman year with injury. A highly-skilled big with an ideal skillset for the modern game, he shined across both of the Cahillites’ games on Saturday while displaying his rare blend of post work, floor-spacing, and inside-out facilitating ability. Jackson is continuously transforming his body, turning extra bulk into added power that he was able to tap into consistently around the basket to set up soft finishes with either hand. He shows natural touch as a shooter with expanding range out to the arc and innate feel for making plays with the ball that’s rare for a big at this stage. Bloodlines are highly in Jackson’s favor and his own ceiling looks steadily higher with seemingly each viewing.

A big 6-foot-7 forward with a guard’s vision and playmaking skills, Jackson is an intriguing young prospect and the latest talented member of the Jackson family to pass through Roman, joining his father, Marc (Temple/NBA) and older brothers Shareef (Lafayette) and Sammy (VCU). Offensively he has good hands and a soft shooting touch, and does a good job of facilitating out of the high post. Defensively he’s strong enough to hold his ground in the post, and will only get better as he improves his conditioning and lateral quickness. There’s a lot to like about what he brings to the table, and he should enjoy a strong sophomore year after an injury-shortened freshman campaign.

There’s no denying Jackson’s skill level. The big man has incredibly soft touch with either hand and prefers operating from the perimeter, where he uses his massive frame and handling ability to facilitate through DHOs and create opportunities for himself. Conditioning and athleticism remain concerns, as does bringing a more consistent approach on a daily basis. Still, Jackson has made significant strides over the last 18 months. Given his size, skill level and continued development, he has legitimate Division I tools.

Despite a lopsided final score, Roman’s matchup with a talent-laded CATS Academy (MA) team was actually a close contest until the closing minutes, with Jackson serving as a main catalyst for the Cahillite attack. Stepping right into a marquee role after missing his freshman season due to injury, Jackson was effective serving as a hub for the Roman offense from a variety of spots on the floor within the halfcourt setting. He displayed outstanding patience, footwork, and touch on a series of faceup buckets over taller, lengthier defenders and his ballhandling served as an important release valve with Roman’s guards struggling to handle the CATS pressure. Jackson’s conditioning will have to continue to improve but his offensive skillset and feel for the game are a joy to watch and a nightmare for opposing defenses to handle.

After missing just about the entirety of his freshman season with injuries and literal growing pains, Jackson projects to step right into the starting five this year as a consistent offensive focal point for the Cahillites. Jackson now enters into the family business, following the footsteps of his father Marc (Temple/NBA) and brothers Shareef (Lafayette) and Sammy (VCU) as lynchpins of the Roman program. He’s a brilliant passer with an abundance of natural feel, skill, and touch whether operating from the post or working on the perimeter with a live dribble. Jackson cut his teeth this past summer as a consistent standout for Roman in the June live periods and a bright spot for Team Final ‘s 15U group as an inside-out hub. His upside will be determined largely by what kind of shape he works into over time, but Jackson should jump firmly onto D1 radars over the course of the winter.

-Jackson scored pretty effortlessly around the basket as a nimble forward prospect with a soft touch around the basket. Jackson scored 16 points by finishing hook shots around the rim, tipping in putbacks under the basket, knocking down open jumpers from the elbow, and face-cutting to the rim to present a passing option to guards on the wings or corner that picked up their dribble. Love the way that he utilizes a strong frame and light set of feet to create better finishing angles around the basket as a young prospect that knows his role and understands his value for a young Roman team that graduated most of their scoring production.