The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1252590
JUNE/JULY 2020 THE WOLVERINE 29 2 0 2 0 B A S K E T B A L L R E C R U I T I N G I S S U E they've spoken with the media, with the latter having formed an espe- cially close bond with Jackson due to his background as a guard during his playing days at Detroit Southwest- ern High School, Boston College and then a 13-year stint in the NBA. "Having Howard Eisley on that staff played a key factor because, as a former guard, he really knew how to relate to Zeb," Miller noted. "I've ac- tually known Juwan for many years, so the importance of family he and his staff always preach about from a relationship standpoint is absolutely genuine. "After having spent so much time down in Florida [with the Miami Heat, both as a player and an assis- tant coach], I've come to learn that Juwan is just a basketball junkie." Miller went on to explain that Jack- son and Howard will be "perfect for each other" in Ann Arbor, thanks to the way they are both students of the game and have a burning desire to "win at the highest level." The consensus four-star signee experienced plenty of success at his initial high school of Maumee Valley Country Day in Toledo, Ohio, help- ing lead his Hawks to a 54-22 overall record during his three years there. He was a three-team first-team all- conference and all-district pick at the school, and won the state's Division IV Player of the Year honor as a junior. Despite averaging 25.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game during his time there, Jackson de- cided he wanted to face the nation's top competition and subsequently transferred to powerhouse Mont- verde (Fla.) Academy for his senior campaign. "Zeb really wanted to play against better competition and be on the big- gest stage of high school basketball," Miller confirmed. "He wanted to compete at the highest level in order to prepare him for his college career. "Every kid has an adjustment pe- riod they go through upon initially arriving here, but Zeb had tremendous teammates who helped him get accus- tomed to life — he didn't seem to have much of a problem in that regard. He just simply came to work every day, always showed up to the gym early and then stayed late afterward. The kid just loves the game of basketball." Jackson not only played against the game's top prep talent during Montverde Academy's gauntlet of a schedule in 2019-20, but also along- side many of high school basketball's best players. Three of his senior teammates were tabbed as five-star recruits by Rivals. com, in point guard Cade Cunning- ham (signed with Oklahoma State), center Day'Ron Sharpe (North Car- olina) and power forward Scottie Barnes (Florida State), with the former checking in as the No. 1 player in the country. They combined to lead Mont- verde to the prep national champion- ship and a No. 1 national ranking. "Going through what all he experi- enced with us is really going to help him adjust to life at Michigan, espe- cially since he played at such a high level with highly competitive guys on his team," Miller opined. "Five of our top eight guys are going on to be high Division I players, including Zeb. He has played against the best of the best — we went 25-0 last year and matched up with several of the top teams in the country. "Zeb has been on the road travel- ing and staying in hotels, and already knows how to be a true student-ath- lete in a tough academic environ- ment like Montverde. From that standpoint, he'll adjust fine to the Michigan lifestyle. "The pace of play on the court will also be something he's familiar with, and he'll be able to adapt well to it. Zeb's time here at Montverde is go- ing to benefit Michigan in the years to come." Jackson having gone head to head against the best talents high school basketball has to offer could pay div- idends for Michigan as soon as next season, with the Wolverines severely lacking depth in their backcourt fol- lowing the transfer of guards David DeJulius and Cole Bajema. Rivals.com originally had Jackson listed as a point guard when he com- mitted but now tabs him as a shoot- ing guard, though the nation's No. 88 overall recruit is used to handling the ball at a high rate and is an "out- standing passer for his age," accord- ing to Miller. "He's more of a combo guard who just knows how to score the ball," the assistant coach explained. "Zeb has the ability to create space and get his shot off no matter when or where he is on the court. "… He's just so athletic and is a tre- mendous shooter. Zeb is a kid who can change ends on the court mighty quickly, and I would categorize the way he shoots the basketball as 'a gift.' "He still knows how to drive to the hole as well, and it became obvious to us that opponents are very con- cerned with his quick first step." Collegiate freshmen oftentimes struggle with picking up a club's de- fensive schemes more than its offen- sive ones, with Miller admitting that Jackson's defense is "still a work in progress." The assistant explained that the key to the 6-4 guard getting better on that side of the ball will be adding more muscle, which shouldn't be an issue at Michigan — strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson is viewed as one of the best in the busi- ness in that regard. Beilein built a reputation for reel- ing in high-character kids who also excelled in the classroom and How- ard appears to be following suit, with Jackson fitting that description to a tee. "Zeb always stays out of trouble and has never had any off-the-court issues," Miller revealed. "He's very bright in the classroom as well, and is diligent in everything he does. It's important to Zeb to be successful, and that's why I think he'll relate so well to Juwan during their time together. "I'm not sure which position Ju- wan specifically told Zeb he'll be playing in U-M's backcourt, but I honestly don't think that's what it's about with him — for him, it's about knowing he'll have an opportunity to get on the floor if he works hard. Zeb knows he'll be able to take things into his own hands if he takes care of his business in practice first." ❑ "Zeb didn't know Juwan at all, but understood he was a Michigan Man and knew what he represented. Juwan and the rest of his staff did an outstanding job of reaching out to Zeb and his family right away, and made it a priority to get to know all of them personally. That really went a long way." Montverde (Fla.) Academy assistant coach Rae Miller