A Maryland basketball commit and several of Kevin Willard’s top recruiting targets climbed in the new 247Sports rankings for the Class of 2025 and 2026. Recently committed power forward Marcus Jackson was one of the biggest climbers.
Jackson, a power forward from Baltimore who picked the Terps last weekend, jumped 42 spots from No. 107 to No. 65 in the rankings thanks to his strong summerlong performance on the Under Armour Association circuit. The 6-8 senior helped lead Baltimore-based Team Thrill to the Under Armour championship, averaging 13.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 65 percent shooting. Previously know exclusively for his post game, he showed off a much-improved jumper, making 16 of 36 three-pointers. Classified by 247Sports as a center, he’s ranked No. 6 nationally at the position.
He committed to Maryland shortly after his official visit last weekend.
“Maryland is just home,” Jackson told IMS. “Guys in the coaching staff and some of the players have been around me my entire life. Why not stay somewhere where I know I’m going to be protected, safe and have the academic resources that I’ll need to succeed?”
It’s the second year in a row Maryland’s scored a highly regarded big man from Team Thrill, after Derik Queen picked the Terps in the 2023 class.
“I’ve wanted to play with Derik at the college level for years now. I think both of us can unlock other parts of our games because we have the chemistry and our strengths go well together. We’ll have a Baltimore frontcourt that’s going to bring winning to Maryland.”
247Sports national analyst Adam Finkelstein recently wrote:
Marcus Jackson is a long and athletic lefty big man with some developing face-up skill. While he’s capable of playing either frontcourt spot, he can be a bit undersized at the five. Beyond that though, he has exceptional physical tools. He’s extremely bouncy and quick off his feet athletically, and able to play up at the top of the box. His frame is naturally sturdy and should really blossom with additional muscle mass in the coming years. He runs and changes ends extremely well, with long and powerful strides, and shows some lateral mobility as well.
Offensively, Jackson is an extreme finisher, with power to match his explosiveness, and a major lob threat. He can thrive as a rim-runner, roller, and in the dunker spot. Jackson possesses elite and dynamic finishing ability that can immediately change the momentum of a game.
From a skill standpoint, Jackson has demonstrated clear progression in recent years. He now has a soft face-up shooting touch, along with a high and deep release point that allows him to get his shot off at virtually any time. Sometimes, that can actually be a liability, as he can settle or force tough shots at inopportune times. His shot selection showed real maturation over the course of the year though, converting 65% from the floor overall in UAA play, while making 44% of his threes, a total of 16 in 17 games, and 69% of his free throws. The glaring statistical red flag though is just one total assist in the entire season against 18 turnovers.
Defensively, he has some versatility with his ability to both block shots (1.4 per game) as well as move his feet enough to show and recover defending ball screens. He’s also a willing and valuable communicator on that end of the floor, with a big voice.
A top target for Kevin Willard also made a huge jump. Mt. Zion Prep (Md.) guard Chris Jeffrey rose 40-plus spots, from No. 138 to No. 94 overall and landed at No. 13 among combo guards. Jeffrey is one to watch closely.
Maryland Basketball Recruiting Scoop: The next big news coming for the Terps?
Other Maryland targets moved in the rankings:
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Mikel Brown: No. 8 to No. 7
Shon Abaev: No. 95 to No. 29
Cam Ward: No. 62 to No. 54
Tyler Jackson: No. 46 to No. 77
Efeosa Oliogu: No. 90 to No. 122
Jordan Smith: Stayed at No. 8
Qayden Samuels: No. 19 to No. 16
Quincy Wadley No. 15 to No. 26
Chase Foster No. 43 to No. 49
Prince-Alexander Moody: No. 70 to No. 76
Sinan Huan : No. 59 toto No. 92
Parker Robinson: No. 105 to No. 97
Anthony Brown No. 134 to No. 12
