It’s been a long process, but Demetrius Jackson will put it to an end tonight when the 2013 point guard announces his college decision on ESPNU’s Recruiting Nation.
After receiving offers from programs like Kansas, Louisville, Michigan State, Memphis and Butler among others, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound point guard from Marian High School (Mishawaka, Ind.) will be choosing between nearby Notre Dame and Illinois on tonight’s show, which begins at 5 p.m. (EST).
“Nobody knows where he’s going but him,” Jackson’s AAU coach Rod Creech told Irish Sports Daily. “I don’t know which school he’s going to pick, whoever gets him will find out (tonight).”
Notre Dame is looking to cap off a 2013 recruiting class that already includes swingmen V.J. Beachem and Steve Vasturia while the Illini are searching for their next starting point guard.
“He’s a great player,” Creech said. “He’s smart, he’s a great point guard. He’s got a lot of skills that he can bring to the table. He’s a good leader.
“I know he’s pretty excited about this opportunity.”
The Irish have been on the local product since the beginning of the process with head coach Mike Brey taking the time to form a tight bond with Jackson, but the point guard’s recruitment went national over the last year.
“Without a doubt he became a dominant player,” Creech said. “He really poured a lot of time into his game and really committed to making his weaknesses his strengths. He’s a workaholic. He gets after it every day. He has a motor that doesn’t stop for the game of basketball.
“Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas, Michigan, Michigan State, Memphis, Indiana, Illinois, he had everybody on him. He had a lot, a lot of options.”
But now those options are down to two. He took an official visit to Notre Dame this past weekend after taking an official to Illinois a few weeks ago.
In addition to getting a great basketball player, Creech said whichever program gets Jackson will also be landing a great kid.
“He’s very independent, very mature for his age,” said Creech. ”He’s going to be pretty successful. He’s got a head start over a lot of 18-year-olds. He’s got great balance. He’s great in the classroom. Academics are important. Basketball is important. Family and friends are important. He’s loyal, he’s committed.
“He’s a great guy.”
The recruiting calendar allows high school basketball players to sign National Letters of Intent twice during the year. Other dates to watch out for:
