It seemed like just yesterday that Millennium’s 2021 point guard Justus Jackson was capping off a great freshman campaign for Head Coach Ty Amundsen and leading them to a first round road victory over the heavily favored Westview Knights in the first round of the playoffs. Jackson put his name on just about every top freshman list and earned just about every conference honor a freshman can earn.
Fast forward to today and we are looking at the same kid starting to become that same force on the court, but on a national level. After a strong sophomore season landed his high school in the 5A state championship game, they would fall just short against the top-seeded Gilbert Tigers.
Nevertheless, it was a coming out party for one of the top underclassmen in the state. While most of the attention has deservedly been pointed to one of the top 2021 prospects in America’s in 6-foot-9 forward DaRon Holmes, Jackson plays so in-sync with the nationally ranked Holmes. It has now gotten to the point where it seems the chemistry between the two is almost effortless and is vastly becoming the premier 1-2 punch in Arizona high school basketball. It helps that they do not take the spring and summer off from each other, as both will travel the Under Armour AAU circuit for Powerhouse Hoops UAA with coach Vaughn Compton and Jeff Becker.
Just after the high school season ended for Jackson, he would pick up his first official Division-I offer from the hometown Grand Canyon University and Head Coach Dan Majerle. Shortly after, he was selected to play in the March Madfest AZ All-Star Game.
Athletic success is no surprise to the Jackson family. His father, Chris Jackson, was a stand-out multi-sport athlete and played football at Washington State before playing in both the NFL and the AFL. In February, his father received the news that he was getting hired on to the Chicago Bears coaching staff.
Jackson has already came out of the gates in the spring with some strong performances. He and Holmes both had major hands in a big win to kick the AAU season off in the Prep Hoops Spring Showcase against The Truth EYBL, one of the top 16U teams on the west coast. Jackson looked great once again this past weekend in the SoCal Spring Tip-Off Classic, as he filled up the stat sheets with big assist games, knocking down shots, creating plays for others and looking like a much improved on-ball defender. Needless to say, Justus has his swag tank on full. If Jackson can continue with his strong play, this Powerhouse 16U UAA team has a chance to be special.
Jackson has matured on the basketball court a whole lot in the last year. About 365 days ago, Jackson took an ill-advised shot here and there that made you scratch your head if you are labeling him a premiere level point guard. Those shots have been minimalized noticeably and he has developed a great pull-up jumper off the dribble, especially in transition. He is distributing the ball with meaning a whole lot better and finding cutters like a VP of Distribution. I would not be surprised if the 6-foot 2021 point guard comes out of the spring with a couple more offers in his gym bag. Without question, he will be one to watch.
Great article. So proud of my grandson.
Didn’t face west view knights in the playoffs the year before, lost to chandler during the play-in game but nonetheless great article
Absolutely correct. Thank you. The game I am talking about was for the Region Championship. Both were 6A at the time. Appreciate the correction.