Returning Home with High Hopes
Ian Jackson—a former consensus five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American—announced his transfer from North Carolina to St. John’s. This reunites him with his New York roots and Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.
What Jackson Brings to the Table
- Athletic Scoring Threat: At UNC, Jackson averaged 11.9 points per game. He is shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range. He connected on 60 three-pointers and had 15 games with multiple threes.
- Freshman Accolades: Earned All-ACC Freshman Team honors and was a finalist for the Kyle Macy Freshman of the Year Award.
- Pro Potential: NBA scouts believe the move to St. John’s will boost his development and draft stock under Pitino’s guidance.
Elevated Expectations Under Pitino
Jackson joins one of the nation’s top transfer classes. This includes Joson Sanon (Arizona State), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Oziyah Sellers (Stanford), and Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati).
Expectations include:
- Offensive Firepower: Jackson adds explosiveness and perimeter scoring to an already potent lineup.
- Leadership Role: He’s expected to run the offense and potentially become St. John’s first first-round NBA draft pick since 2012.
Transition to Point Guard
Jackson will take on the challenge of switching to point guard:
- Committing to film study, extra training with NBA trainer Chris Brickley, and working with assistant coach Taliek Brown.
- Confident in his ability, Jackson said, “I don’t think there’s any doubt I can be dominant at this position.
- Former St. John’s guard Daniss Jenkins believes Pitino’s coaching style will help Jackson excel.
Big East Contender Status
With Jackson at the helm, St. John’s is pegged as one of the top Big East contenders alongside UConn.
Final Word
Ian Jackson’s arrival is more than just a transfer. He comes with elite scoring ability, leadership, and potential. Jackson is ready to run the Red Storm offense and lead St. John’s back into national prominence.