Future Kansas Jayhawks combo guard Elmarko Jackson is a McDonald’s All-American

Future University of Kansas men’s basketball combo guard Elmarko Jackson is one of 24 high school players selected to play in the 46th-annual McDonald’s All-America game on March 28 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Jackson, a 6-3, 185-pound senior out of South Kent (Connecticut) School, who is ranked No. 22 in the recruiting Class of 2023 according to ESPN.com, No. 23 by 247sports.com and No. 27 by Rivals.com, will play for the East team, it was announced Tuesday.

A native of Marlton, New Jersey, he is averaging 19.0 points and 6.0 assists a game this season for South Kent High.

Jackson committed to KU on Oct. 13 over Texas, Villanova, Miami and Notre Dame. He signed his letter of intent with the Jayhawks during the early November signing period.

KU’s other two members of the recruiting Class of 2023 — Chris Johnson (6-4, 180, senior combo guard, out of Montverde Academy in Florida) and Jamari McDowell (6-4, 180, senior combo guard out of Manvel High in Texas) — were not named to the McDonald’s game. Matas Buzelis, a 6-9 senior forward from Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, also was named a member of the East team. He has signed with the G League Ignite for next season.

The East team roster: Xavier Booker (Michigan State), Aaron Bradshaw (Kentucky), Buzelis (G League Ignite), Stephon Castle (UConn), Justin Edwards (Kentucky), Kwame Evans. (Oregon), Aden Holloway (Auburn), Jackson (Kansas), MacKenzie Mgbako (Duke), Sean Stewart (Duke), D.J. Wagner (Kentucky) and Cody Williams (Colorado).

The West roster: Omaha Biliew (Iowa State), Isaiah Collier (USC), Mookie Cook (Oregon), Baye Fall (Arkansas), Jeremy Fears (Michigan State), Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State), Ron Holland (Texas), Bronny James (undecided), Jared McCain (Duke), Reed Sheppard (Kentucky), Andrej Stojakovic (Stanford) and Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor).

Jackson began his high school career at St. Augustine Prep in Richland, New Jersey. He then transferred to Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania where he averaged 17.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 2021-22.

“People may not know he’s only played organized basketball for three years and his skill level is well beyond his experience,” KU coach Bill Self said of Jackson in November. “He’s a 6-3 athlete that can make plays with the ball and can play above the rim. He is extremely explosive and a guy that has been well drilled, well taught in a short amount of time to put him in a position to potentially be a McDonald’s All American.

“We’re so excited to have him in camp and he’ll be one of those versatile guards that can play the point, but also can play anywhere off the ball as well. Coach (Norm) Roberts did a great job recruiting Elmarko and his family and we feel he will be an immediate impact player for us and potentially one of the best guards we’ve had in our program.”

Of Jackson, Eric Bossi of 247sports.com wrote Tuesday: “A year ago, an invite to the McDonald’s Game may have seemed like a pipe dream for Jackson. A big, physical and athletic floor general, Jackson was a major mover during the summer and he’s kept things up during his final year of high school. Bill Self could likely use his size in the backcourt tomorrow if Jackson were able to enroll early.”

At one time Jackson also considered Kansas State, UCLA, Virginia, Louisville, Michigan, VCU, Maryland, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Syracuse, Tennessee, Georgetown and Wisconsin.

In June, Jackson won the MVP award at the Under Armour Future 60 camp held at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

“When it comes to Kansas, it’s hard to beat,” Jackson said during his commitment ceremony. “The coaching staff is great. Their winning record is great. Coach Self is top tier. For me going to college, I would rather be a guy who works for valuable minutes and help my team win. I feel Kansas is a great opportunity for me to be a winner and key my development as a player.”

Bossi, national recruiting analyst for 247Sports, offered his take on Jackson’s signing with KU in November.

“Elmarko is a Bill Self guard if I’ve ever seen one,” Bossi said. “I like pretty much everything about him, his maturity, approach and physical nature of his play. He wants to get downhill, go through defenders and around defenders. He never gets too high, never gets too low. He pulls guys aside and leads them. But the way he gets downhill and gets to the rim is what stands out about him.”

Bossi said Jackson blossomed this summer as a recruit partly because of “improved decision making. There was a question is he more athlete than a skill guy. What I love about him is you never saw him going online saying, ‘Teams are sleeping on me this or that.’ He just worked and the work on his game showed. He eventually got to the level he should be at.”

Russ Wood of Rivals.com wrote recently of Marlton, New Jersey native Jackson: “He is a strong physical guard with a very good first step. If he gets his defender on his hip, it’s a wrap. A good two-way player with a high IQ and an equal amount of toughness. I was impressed at how Jackson doesn’t just use ball screens to get downhill or to get his shot off. He made some good reads and good passes. He definitely played above his current ranking (playing for Delaware-based WE/R1 at an Under Armour Association AAU event in July).”