Future KU Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson may display ‘elegant’ play in McDonald’s game

Future Kansas point guard/shooting guard Elmarko Jackson, who “grew up watching Kobe (Bryant) a lot,” says his favorite NBA player for many years was Jamal Crawford.

In fact, it’s possible KU fans and others who watch 6-foot-3 New Jersey native Jackson compete in Tuesday night’s McDonald’s All-America game (8 p.m., ESPN) at Houston’s Toyota Center, just might see some of Crawford’s game in the South Kent (Connecticut) School senior playmaker.

Crawford played 20 years in the league before retiring after the 2019-20 season.

“I’m not as flashy as him,” Jackson said of Crawford during Monday’s McDonald’s All-America game Zoom call with reporters, “but just the way he moves on the court is very elegant, very smooth, so I’d probably say a little bit of Jamal Crawford (is evident when Jackson competes).”

Jackson, the No. 22-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2023 by ESPN.com and 247sports.com and No. 27-rated player by Rivals.com, who hails from Marlton, New Jersey, will be joined on the East team by Kentucky players Aaron Bradshaw, Justin Edwards and D.J. Wagner; Duke’s Mackenzie Mgbako and Sean Stewart and six others.

He’ll be playing against four future Big 12 players on the West team: Omaha Biliew (Iowa State), Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State), Ron Holland (Texas) and Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor). LeBron James’ son, Bronny, will also play for the West.

Future Jayhawk Jackson said he’s especially enjoyed distributing the ball at McDonald’s practices to the 7-foot Bradshaw and 6-10 Xavier Booker, who is headed to Michigan State.

“Aaron Bradshaw … his energy on the court is tremendous,” Jackson said. “Xavier Booker as well … putting both of them in pick and roll opportunities with me has been great. They draw so much attention. It’s so easy as a guard. If nothing opens, just throw it into them. They get buckets. It’s great having them down there offensively. Defensively they create so much space down low, it’s so easy, it makes the game easy for everybody,” Jackson added.

Jackson seems determined to make sure the McDonald’s game will be competitive, not a mere breakaway dunkfest.

“I feel like the groups we’ve put together space the floor well, share the ball, which is surprising,” Jackson said. “Most of these all-star events, people are jacking shots. This is different. We are sharing the ball. Everybody is getting assists, touches, showing what they can do. It’s been great. I don’t feel anybody on the team Is being selfish at all. They are making the experience great for everybody.”

Jackson, who chose KU over Texas, Michigan, Ohio State, UCLA, Villanova, Miami and others in recruiting, has impressed at McDonald’s workouts. He is the only one of KU’s four incoming freshman to be invited to play in the 2023 McDonald’s game.

“A player I thought gave tremendous energy on Sunday morning was the East’s Elmarko Jackson,” writes Eric Bossi of 247sports.com. “The guard from South Kent (Conn.) Prep who is headed to Kansas was as engaged as anybody in the building. When his coaches were talking, he was locked in and immediately picked up everything they were putting down.

“He pulled teammates aside to help explain things, he was vocal on the floor and he played pretty well, too. Jackson has a little extra bounce in his step that few of the other ball handlers have and that pop really lets him get into the lane and make things happen. During shooting drills, his shot looks like it is trending towards much improved. This kid looks like a guy that Bill Self is going to love,” Bossi adds.

In fact, KU coach Self recently said of Jackson: “People may not know he’s only played organized basketball for three years and his skill level is well beyond his experience. 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. 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.”

Jackson is eager to be coached by Self.

“I am really excited. Just seeing them (Jayhawks) perform at the level they do, the way they evolve over the season is great to watch, “Jackson said. “I feel like coach Self did a great job getting the best out of his players, instilling his players with confidence. To do the things they do on the court, I feel like they’ll definitely get the best out of me for sure.”

Jackson said he’s determined to represent his home state of New Jersey well during his days in Lawrence.

“Grit. Everybody is competitive. Nobody is baking down no matter who you are. You could be a 5-star or unranked player. Nobody is backing down at all,” Jackson said, praising New Jersey prospects on Monday. “Being from Jersey as a guard, at least you have a reputation you have to uphold,. You’ve got to wear New Jersey on your chest, represent it proudly, carry yourself with the type of aura people know it’s Jersey,” he added.

He says he’s ready to take the next step in basketball.

“I’m looking forward to just going to battle against a higher level of competition night in and night out,” Jackson said of the 2023-24 campaign. “I put a lot of work in over the past couple years. I feel this is a real good test for me to see where I am at and just see what I need to get better at, to evolve as a player and a person.”

McDonald’s All-America game

Game time: 8 p.m., Central, Tuesday in Houston

East Roster

Xavier Booker, 6-10, PF, Michigan State; Aaron Bradshaw, 7-0, PF, Kentucky; Matas Buzelis, 6-9, SF, Undecided; Stephon Castle, 6-6, PG, UConn; Justin Edwards, 6-7, SF, Kentucky; Kwame Evans, 6-9, PF, Oregon; Aden Holloway, 6-1, PG, Auburn; Elmarko Jackson, 6-3, PG/SG, Kansas; Mackenzie Mgbako, 6-8, PF, Duke; Sean Stewart, 6-8, PF, Duke; D.J. Wagner, 6-2, PG, Kentucky; Cody Williams, 6-7, SF, Colorado.

West Roster

Omaha Biliew, 6-9, PF, Iowa State; Isaiah Collier, 6-4, PG, USC; Mookie Cook, 6-7 , SF, Oregon; Baye Fall, 6-11, PF, Arkansas; Jeremy Fears, 6-2, PG, Michigan State; Brandon Garrison, 6-9, PF, Oklahoma State; Ron Holland, 6-8, PF, Texas; Bronny James, 6-3, PG, Undecided; Jared McCain, 6-3, SG, Duke; Reed Sheppard, 6-2, SG, Kentucky; Andrej Stojakovic, 6-7, SF, Stanford; Ja’Kobe Walter, 6-5, SG, Baylor.