Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BASKETBALL RECRUITING After leading Marian to its first sec- tional title since 1969, the program's first-ever regional crown and a spot in the Class 3A state semifinals, the 6-1 point guard was named to the Indiana Junior All-Star team alongside good friend V.J. Beachem. "It's really cool," said Jackson, Life is good for Jackson these days. a four-star prospect according to 247Sports, Rivals.com (which ranked him 61st overall in the nation) and Scout.com (which listed him No. 41 in the country). "It's a true blessing and a great opportunity. I really appreci- ate it. I just went out and played and had fun with my teammates. I wasn't thinking about my stats or anything like that." Jackson originally planned to make a decision over Christmas break from said he isn't looking for any new suit- ors in particular to come calling, just for more of them to make their desire known with official offers. "I wanted to make a decision over Christmas break, and that didn't work out," said Jackson, who holds Mar- ian's all-time career scoring mark (1,398 points) with a year remain- ing. "Then I planned on making the decision after the season. But then I thought about it; I have the whole summer to go out and showcase my abilities and to keep getting better and keep improving. I believe I will be able to make my decision in the fall before my senior season." Fueled by Jackson's 23.0 points, 8.0 petitive academic school. This place is extremely tough," he said. "My schedule is busy from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. Grades are so important to me, and I thought it was time to challenge myself that way." Washington averaged 15.0 points, "Hotchkiss is an extremely com- 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game this past season. "Coach Brey was following me un- rebounds and 7.0 assists per game, Marian finished the year with a 22-4 record. Jackson's 580 points this year broke the school's single-season re- cord by 45 points. He also set a Marian single-game record with a 42-point outburst this season. Notre Dame and Michigan State appear to be in the best position to land Demetrius Jackson, a point guard who is listed as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals.com and Scout.com. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS a list of scholarship offers that in- cludes Notre Dame, Michigan, Michi- gan State, Xavier, Butler and Florida State. He bumped his deadline back a few months, opting to wait until the end of his junior season with Marian. Now he's going to see how a deep tournament run, as well as another summer of AAU ball, will raise his recruiting stock. Xavier was the first to show inter- at Hotchkiss prep school in Lakev- ille, Conn., was quite a reality check. Having transferred from Benilde-St. Margaret's in St. Louis Park, Minn., at the end of his junior year in 2010-11, reclassifying as an incoming junior at Hotchkiss and being introduced to starkly higher academic demands, as well as meeting new basketball team- mates, Washington got a taste of what college life will be like. That was the point, after all, but it WAITING ON KYLE WASHINGTON Kyle Washington's junior season took some time for the rising, three- star power forward to adjust. "I thought it was going to be way est, followed by Notre Dame and MSU — the two programs that ap- pear to be in the best position to land the bouncy playmaker. Both Brey and Spartans head coach Tom Izzo made several trips to see Jackson in action this past season. Jackson was at Pur- cell Pavilion on Jan. 22 when Notre Dame knocked off No. 1 Syracuse. The first-team All-Northern Indiana Conference member and league MVP www.BLUEANDGOLD.com easier than it was," said Washington, who received a scholarship offer from Notre Dame last fall. "I have a great relationship with my family. Family is everything to me. I have a lot of good friends in Minnesota. I thought it was going to be easy to transition. A lot of kids in high school are in their home state and are comfortable, but when they go to their freshman year to col- lege, it's something new. When I go to college it won't be something new." The 6-9, 200-pounder has received more national exposure as a result. Programs that were on the bubble be- fore have now become more familiar with the articulate and athletic class of 2013 prospect, a unanimous three-star recruit. der the radar without even letting me know," Washington said. "Then Coach [Anthony] Solomon came up during some open gyms, and they both agreed that they would like me to come to Notre Dame and be a part of their program. I think that's a huge honor. "Notre Dame is a great program, and there are many great players that have come out of there. A lot of good players are going in; I really like the [2012] recruiting class that's going to be there next year." Along with Notre Dame, Washing- ton currently has offers from Baylor, Central Michigan, Drake, Florida, Iowa, Iowa State, Louisville, Mar- quette, Miami, Minnesota, Penn State, Washington, West Virginia, Wiscon- sin and Xavier. He has yet to make an unofficial visit to South Bend because of scheduling conflicts. Washington is trying to whittle a long list of offers down to a manageable number. "I don't have a specific group right now," he said. "I'm figuring out my top 10 right now and will eventually get into my top five. I want to be com- mitted before the next season starts — late fall or early winter." ✦ ward/guard) Student-Athlete of the Year: Tim Abromaitis more point guard) Most Improved: Jack Cooley (junior for- ward) Defensive Player of the Year: Scott Martin Captain's Award: Tim Abromaitis MAY 2012 51 nual awards ceremony April 11 at Purcell Pa- vilion. Changes included shifting away from a traditional banquet setting to more of a show similar to the football team. Here's the rundown of awards handed out: MVP: Scott Martin (fifth-year senior for- The men's basketball program held it's an- NOTRE DAME BASKETBALL AWARDS SHOW (fifth-year senior forward) Playmaker of the Year: Eric Atkins (sopho-