Syracuse basketball coaches only offered a scholarship to 2023 four-star guard Elmarko Jackson a few weeks ago, and already it seems that he has emerged as a priority recruit for the Orange coaching staff in this cycle.
The 6-foot-4 Jackson, one of the top point guards/shooting guards in his class, has said more than once of late in interviews that he is planning to take an official visit to the Hill in the near future, which is highly encouraging news.
And in a recent chat with the terrific Mike McAllister, the publisher of SyracuseOnSI, Jackson had a bunch of positive things to say about the Syracuse basketball program.
His offer list continues to grow, and his recruitment could have a way to go, but my own personal sense is that the ‘Cuse is potentially in good shape with Jackson.
Let’s see what four-star Elmarko Jackson had to say about Syracuse basketball.
Jackson, who is rated in the top-80 overall in the 2023 cycle according to numerous recruiting services, told McAllister that the ‘Cuse is one of his “dream schools.”
"“Every little boy that plays basketball they dream about playing for the ‘Cuse, for the Orange. I was ecstatic. I felt like it was kind of similar to getting my first offer. Just in awe, kind of. I felt like all my hard work was paying off. For a school of that caliber to offer me felt great. I can’t even put it into words, really.”"
This is a beautiful sentiment from Elmarko Jackson, who put forth a stellar junior season in 2021-22 for the Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pa.
Additionally, Jackson has earned a lot of praise from national analysts and scouts of late for how he performed during the two April live periods, as he competed in various AAU games for WE R1 as part of the Under Armour Association (“UAA”) league.
Jackson said to McAllister that Syracuse basketball watched him play in the first round of UAA contests held during the live periods, which is also great to hear.
When he had recent discussions with the ‘Cuse coaching staff, they chatted about the team’s excellent six-member class in 2022, “and if I were to go there, I’d be a big part of a big team that they’re building. The big squad they’re putting together. They just told me about their plans for the future.”
According to McAllister, Jackson has a high interest in Syracuse basketball, although he does possess other impressive offers. Per Jackson’s Twitter page, fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Notre Dame recently offered him.
His other offers, per recruiting services and media reports, include from St. John’s, Penn State, Miami, Minnesota, Maryland, VCU, Bryant, La Salle, Ole Miss, Seton Hall and California.
Depending on the recruiting Web site, Jackson is listed as either a point guard or a shooting guard in 2023. He’s generally deemed as a top-20 player at his position within this class.
Nationwide in the 2023 cycle, Jackson checks in at No. 66 at ESPN, No. 70 via On3, No. 78 from 247Sports, No. 79 per the 247Sports Composite and No. 79 according to the On3 Consensus.