Published Jul 27, 2015
Jackson proves why hes No. 1 in 2016
Eric Bossi
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Analyst
LAS VEGAS - Championships were won in Las Vegas as the last of July's three live recruiting periods came to an end on Sunday. Rivals.com spent the last day of the period splitting time between the Fab 48 and adidas Summer Championships, where the nation's No. 1 player, Josh Jackson, and four-star forward Sacha Killeya-Jones led their teams to championships.
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Jackson delivers on Sunday
For much of the week in Las Vegas, 2016's top-ranked player, Josh Jackson, had been a bit up and down. Looking tired from a long summer, he was focused more on involving others and taking over offensively when needed. On Sunday, he was fully locked in and as a result his 1Nation squad won the 17U Invitational division of the Fab 48.
In the semifinal, Jackson led his team to a gutty overtime win over We-R1.
Despite being plagued by foul trouble, Jackson was a factor on both ends of the floor. He rebounded, he scored at the rim and with the jumper, he defended and he showed off his passing ability. If it weren't for Lonzo Ball being a part of the 2016 class, Jackson would be arguably the best passer in the class and he showed exactly why on the game-winning play.
Tied late in overtime, Jackson got a rebound and when everybody in the gym expected him to drive the length of the court and make a play, he delivered. Only, he delivered with a beautiful 60-foot pass up the floor to a streaking teammate who scored the game-winning layup.
As he has done almost the entire month of July, Arizona's Sean Miller was following Jackson each step of the way.
Killeya-Jones leads comeback at adidas
For a good part of the 17U title game at the adidas Summer Championship, the Mass Rivals held a comfortable lead over Team Loaded Virginia. Over the final 10 minutes, though, Team Loaded's ability to throw a three-man rotation of active and talented four-star big men Sacha Killeya-Jones, Javin Delaurier and Mamadi Diakite proved to be too much as Loaded won a thriller 76-74.
While the trio combined for 38 points and 18 rebounds, it was the contribution of Killeya-Jones that proved to be the biggest down the stretch. The highly skilled power forward hit on some tough jumpers, made a huge play late with an offensive rebound and dunk, and he showed grit.
In the past, one of the knocks against Killeya-Jones has been that he plays too much of a finesse game. Over the course of the summer he's become much tougher around the rim on both ends of the floor and Sunday was a true reflection of that. Currently ranked No. 51 in the class of 2016, Killeya-Jones has positioned himself for another climb in the next set of rankings.
One of the week's more pleasant surprises was the Wisconsin United 16U team. It made the finals of the Fab 48's 16U division where it fell to Wilkes and his Indy Hoosiers. But it was a great week. Class of 2017 point guard Virshon CottonClick Not that there was any doubt about whether Marvin BagleyClick Five-star small forward Kris WilkesClick Did anybody have a better week in Las Vegas than Wenyen GabrielClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link.? His Mass Rivals team lost a heartbreaker in the adidas finals to Team Loaded Virginia, but Gabriel finished strong with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. On Sunday he added offers from KansasClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link. and KentuckyClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link. and it is only a matter of when, not if, DukeClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link. is going to offer. Gabriel has put himself in contention for a boost from No. 84 to five-star status.Here to view this Link. from the class of 2017 was terrific for the Indy Hoosiers in the 16U division of the Fab 48. He continues to play well and is a major priority in Big Ten country.Here to view this Link. would start at the No. 1 spot in the first 2018 rankings in August, but he again solidified his status. There's some young Amare Stoudemire to his game only he's probably a bit more skilled but not quite as physically aggressive as a young Stoudemire.Here to view this Link. is slender but does a great job running the show. Class of 2018 power forward Javonni BickhamClick Not that there was any doubt about whether Marvin BagleyClick Five-star small forward Kris WilkesClick Did anybody have a better week in Las Vegas than Wenyen GabrielClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link.? His Mass Rivals team lost a heartbreaker in the adidas finals to Team Loaded Virginia, but Gabriel finished strong with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. On Sunday he added offers from KansasClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link. and KentuckyClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link. and it is only a matter of when, not if, DukeClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link. is going to offer. Gabriel has put himself in contention for a boost from No. 84 to five-star status.Here to view this Link. from the class of 2017 was terrific for the Indy Hoosiers in the 16U division of the Fab 48. He continues to play well and is a major priority in Big Ten country.Here to view this Link. would start at the No. 1 spot in the first 2018 rankings in August, but he again solidified his status. There's some young Amare Stoudemire to his game only he's probably a bit more skilled but not quite as physically aggressive as a young Stoudemire.Here to view this Link. is a physical bruiser with long arms. And Rivals.com liked athletic and tough 6-foot-4 wing Kente RushingClick Not that there was any doubt about whether Marvin BagleyClick Five-star small forward Kris WilkesClick Did anybody have a better week in Las Vegas than Wenyen GabrielClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link.? His Mass Rivals team lost a heartbreaker in the adidas finals to Team Loaded Virginia, but Gabriel finished strong with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. On Sunday he added offers from KansasClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link. and KentuckyClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link. and it is only a matter of when, not if, DukeClick He looked to be on wobbly legs by the time he had helped lead We-R1 to the semifinals of the Fab 48, but 2017's top point guard, Trevon DuValClick Vegas layupsHere to view this Link., still made things happen. He gets to the rim and changes directions in tight quarters as well as anybody in America. Duval hit a tough shot to force overtime but just missed another to make a second one happen.Here to view this Link. is going to offer. Gabriel has put himself in contention for a boost from No. 84 to five-star status.Here to view this Link. from the class of 2017 was terrific for the Indy Hoosiers in the 16U division of the Fab 48. He continues to play well and is a major priority in Big Ten country.Here to view this Link. would start at the No. 1 spot in the first 2018 rankings in August, but he again solidified his status. There's some young Amare Stoudemire to his game only he's probably a bit more skilled but not quite as physically aggressive as a young Stoudemire.Here to view this Link., who is an off the dribble scorer. A well-coached, fun team to watch.
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