GG Jackson change of heart coming? Maybe, and it could be great news for Gamecocks

Rumors about GG Jackson’s future have been circulating for a few weeks. It appears there might be some clarity to the situation soon.

Jackson — the Ridge View High School five-star basketball recruit and University of North Carolina commitment — is expected to make some sort of announcement on his future as soon as this week, according to a source with knowledge of his recruitment. He has been committed to North Carolina since April 27, but indications are growing that he will change his pledge and play for the hometown South Carolina Gamecocks.

Four reporters or analysts with 247Sports have made Crystal Ball predictions over the past few days that Jackson will flip his commitment from UNC to South Carolina. On3 recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw also projected Jackson to end up with the Gamecocks.

No one is forecasting the North Carolina-to-South Carolina move as being guaranteed. The State’s source would only describe the flip as “likely” and “expected.” There’s a chance Jackson could opt to sign a professional contract with the NBA G League or Overtime Elite.

Another source, this one close to the Gamecocks’ side of things, confirmed to The State that there is legitimacy to the rumors Jackson could flip to USC.

If Jackson decides to attend South Carolina, it’s expected he will reclassify to the Class of 2022, enroll later this summer and suit up this season for first-year coach Lamont Paris. If that happens, Jackson would be the program’s highest-ranked high school signee in school history. PJ Dozier was considered the 25th-best player in the country by 247Sports when he signed with USC in 2014.

Jackson is ranked by On3 as the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class. The 247Sports Composite ranking, which factors in all networks, has Jackson as the No. 2 overall prospect.

What about UNC or the NBA?

Jackson announced his commitment April 27 to North Carolina, picking the Tar Heels over in-state South Carolina. His other final schools were Duke, Auburn, Georgetown and playing professionally with Overtime Elite.

On3’s Shaw reported this month that Jackson and his family were exploring other options, with one of them being South Carolina. On3’s story also said the G League, the NBA’s developmental league, was still pursuing Jackson and listed Oregon, where former USC assistant Chuck Martin is now coaching, as a possible landing spot if he breaks his pledge to UNC.

Jackson and his family have not commented publicly about whether he’s had a change of heart, though he did indicate last week through a live video on Instagram that he remained committed to North Carolina. Jackson’s father, Gregory, did not immediately respond to a request from The State for comment.

Jackson also did not talk to reporters at this weekend’s Nike EYBL event in Kansas City, which was attended by UNC coach Hubert Davis. Jackson plays for Team CP3 out of North Carolina on the AAU circuit. The Nike EYBL concludes its season July 17-24 at the annual Peach Jam event in North Augusta.

A couple of things appear to be the motivating factors behind the current buzz surrounding Jackson, based on reporting by The State, On3, 247Sports and other media outlets:

▪ The plan has always been that Jackson would play college basketball and likely be “one-and-done” and leave school early for the NBA. He has said that his desire was to play his senior year of high school and enroll in college in 2023. However, reclassifying to the 2022 class now appears to be a real option that’s being considered. Jackson has enough high school credits to graduate early and reclassify — or go to G-League, which requires players to be 18 years old.

The G-League could pay Jackson a maximum salary of $500,000, but there is a good chance he could make more than that at the college level through name, image and likeness opportunities.

▪ Jackson was named the MVP of the NBA Players Association’s Top 100 camp held in June in Orlando, Florida. His impressive performance in front of NBA personnel sparked conversation that Jackson might want to pursue a path that gets him to the pros sooner than later — that’s where reclassifying and starting college now come into play. On3Sports interviewed three NBA Draft analysts who project Jackson would be a top 15 pick in the 2023 draft.

▪ North Carolina does not have any open scholarships should Jackson decide to reclassify. The Tar Heels used their 13th and final scholarship on transfer guard Pete Nance. South Carolina still has two open scholarships.

▪ Jackson has “liked” multiple social media posts regarding the current buzz about his recruitment, including several stories or comments specifically about him becoming a Gamecock.

Some pundits thought Jackson would originally commit to the University of South Carolina, but that changed when Gamecocks coach Frank Martin was fired in March. Jackson went as far as to say Martin’s dismissal was a factor in his choice for the Tar Heels: “When South Carolina let go of coach Martin, I feel like that shifted things, and I finally I knew exactly where I wanted to go.”

New USC coach Lamont Paris met with Jackson and his family before he picked the Tar Heels in April. Paris and USC coaches have since attended some of his AAU games with Team CP3 this summer, and the Gamecocks were present at the NBA Top 100 camp.

Jackson averaged 22.9 points, 10.9 rebounds this past season in helping the Blazers to the Class 5A championship. It was Ridge View’s fourth championship in five years.

“He is extremely gifted, future is bright,” ESPN’s Paul Biancardi told The State in April. “What makes him special is willingness to accept coaching and wanting to improve. That is huge.”

— The State’s Michael Lananna contributed