Basketball Recruit Profile: Trency Jackson

Published: 22^nd Mar 12 8:56 am

Drew Wooden
Drew Wooden

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Matt Painter is hot on the recruiting trail. This time, it’s at the Junior College National Championships, featuring Northwest Florida Junior College. Among their players is 6-2 guard Trency Jackson, who is currently being recruited by Purdue, Pitt, Cincinnati, Wichita State, Kansas State, and others.

Bio: Trency Jackson originally signed out of high school with Southern Mississippi. Unfortunately for him, there was an issue with the NCAA Clearinghouse and he never played a game with Southern Miss. As a result, he redshirted at Southern Miss and left after his freshman year. For the last year, he has played at Northwest Florida Junior College. Because he didn’t initially go to junior college because of academic reasons, he will still have 3 years of eligibility and can play next season without sitting out.

Stats: Looking back at his high school days, he had very impressive numbers. He averaged 25.3 ppg, 6.6 assists per game, 3.5 steals per game, and 3.7 rebounds per game for Wingfield High School in Jackson, Mississippi. He was named first team all state for his performance and ranked “83″ by ESPN (2 stars). His 2010 rivals profile includes offers from Indiana, Marquette, Missouri, and USC.

As a junior college player for Northwest Florida Junior College, he is averaging 10.3 ppg on 40% overall shooting, has a 35% three point shooting %, 68% free throw shooting %, averages 1.5 assists/game, 3.1 rebounds/game, 1.3 steals/game, and turns the ball over 1.2 times per game. He has had occasions where he has caught fire, like when he made six 3-pointers (on 9 attempts) against Tallahassee Community College. At 35% from behind the arc, though, it might be best to call him a streaky shooter.

Scouting report:

There’s not a lot of game video showing Trency Jackson’s overall game, but the video shows he has obvious athleticism. [Plus, a quick youtube search will reveal more dunk videos] At 6-2, he has the size and athleticism to guard point guards and most shooting guards. He looks like has long arms and his versatility to play the 1 or 2 will give Matt Painter some added flexibility for next year. After all, Painter will have a bevy of bigs with Carroll, Marcius, Lawson, Hale, Simpson, and Hammons. With the dismissal of Kelsey Barlow, another skilled perimeter player would be welcomed.

Not to mention Jackson’s three point shooting. He is no Ryne Smith at this point, but when he catches fire, watch out. Plus his athleticism will help him attack the rim and hopefully set up other players. Although Purdue has good athleticism next year, they lose a lot of foot speed with the graduation of Lewis Jackson. It would be nice for Matt Painter to have someone that can turn a back court steal into some quick points, like this Jackson.

Projection: Pitt is recruiting Trency Jackson very hard, so there’s a good chance Purdue will not even be able to land him. But if Purdue can get Jackson on campus to check out the newly renovated Mackey Arena and he likes Matt Painter’s sales pitch, he could be a Boilermaker that would make an impact as early as next season for Purdue. If Jackson announces a visit to Purdue, Rant Sports will be fast to report it.