Class of 2020 wing Andre Jackson talks Syracuse basketball recruitment

New York, N.Y. — For the second consecutive year, class of 2020 wing and Syracuse Orange basketball recruit Andre Jackson competed in the Slam Summer Classic at Dyckman Park in New York City. On Sunday, the athletic forward threw down four raucous dunks in a game against some of the best high school prospects in country.

Jackson is currently ranked No. 66 in his class, but the Albany City Rocks didn’t have the same level of exposure on this summer’s AAU circuit as they did in 2018. Jackson said he appreciated Slam’s event as it gives him a chance to play against some tough competition in August.

“Honestly I feel like I’m the best player in the country. It’s definitely good to be around people who can match the level of skill,” He said following the game.

Jackson’s recruitment is coming to a close and he recently released his top 5 programs, which included Syracuse, Maryland, Iowa, UConn and UCLA. He thought about making his decision at the end of this month, but noted that he’ll make it known when he decides on an official decision day.

Syracuse of course, has been in the mix from the start and Gerry McNamara has been his primary recruiter throughout the process. He’s taken both official and unofficial visits to SU and was present for the Florida State game in the Carrier Dome back on February 5.

“They have a good history of players, sending wings to the NBA more than any other school that’s talking to me except UCLA,” said Jackson.

His former City Rocks teammate Joe Girard is currently with the Syracuse basketball team in Italy and will be a freshman at SU this fall. Both of them competed in the Slam event last year, too. When asked if that will play a role into his decision, Jackson insists that really, any team with guys that can shoot would compliment his game.

“Anywhere with shooters really helps me. Same thing with Iowa,” Jackson divulged. “They space the floor and give me more opportunities to drive and kick.”

Jackson noted that trust and a solid strength and conditioning program will be key for whichever prospective school lands his services. Syracuse could potentially have every player back in 2020-21 and the Orange have moved all-in for Jackson for next year’s class. But it’s really been that way from the start.

“Syracuse has been around since the jump,” he said. “They’ve been on me heavy ever since they even started recruiting me.”

A decision will come soon enough. For now, everyone will have to be content watching dunks like these.