Trayce Jackson-Davis taking off in 2019
Junior forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is making a hard push for five-star status and is proving to be a prospect capable of playing anywhere in the country.
Already a heavy target of the Big Ten, the 6-foot-9 big man at Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove who ranks No. 28 nationally in 2019 should soon see his recruitment take off at a national level. Among those who have offered or are showing heavy early interest are Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue, Clemson, Butler, Iowa, UCLA and Ohio State among others.
Jackson-Davis is mobile, he blocks shots, he runs the floor and he's become quite dangerous off the dribble and will be looking to add the same comfort as a jump shooter.
"I think that's the biggest thing I've worked on this year, being able to take guys off the dribble from 17 to 18 feet," said Jackson-Davis. "I can't just be one dimensional, I've got to be pretty versatile or people are just going to double team me.
"I'm not very comfortable (as a jump shooter) yet, I'm working on my shot to get there."
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Jackson-Davis spoke about some of the Big Ten programs who have made him feel like a priority to this point.
Indiana: "(Visits) went well. I went there for the Duke game was probably my most recent time and that was a good environment and a good man. The fans were really crazy, IU fought and showed toughness. It was good. I usually talk to coach Miller and Coach Ostrom."
Michigan State: "They've said that they consider me one of their top priorities. They said they are only recruiting about five guys in our class and I'm one of them so I'm pretty high on their radar I guess."
Purdue: "I haven't been on campus this school year, but I'll make it up real soon. Coach Painter and Coach Brantley are my recruiting coaches up there and I feel like I have a real good relationship with them.
"They say they will let me play my game and let me be versatile."
RIVALS' REACTION
Jackson-Davis mentioned Butler, Clemson and Iowa when asked about other programs that he felt were prioritizing him and it's no surprise that his recruitment already had a strong regional flair.
However, Jackson-Davis is emerging as one of the country's elite big men and it would be a surprise if he didn't start to hear from more programs outside of the region. Though he doesn't yet have the jump shot incorporated as a regular threat in his game, he's an excellent free throw shooter and given the strides he's made with his ball handling since the summer, it won't be a surprise if he adds that jumper. If Jackson-Davis becomes a threat as a shooter, he likely makes that next step to five-star status.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Jackson-Davis took multiple visits to Indiana during the fall and looked like he might be on track to make an early decision. The Hoosiers still look to be in pretty good shape but it looks like the hope that he might end things quickly is fading as Jackson-Davis says he's leaning towards taking some more time.
"I'll probably make a decision sometime next year," said Jackson-Davis. "So it will probably be a little later."