Flashback Friday
We step into the vault on this Flashback Friday as the Class of 2019 gets set to graduate and some basketball athletes will have the opportunity to play at the next level. There will be players that will make an…
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Continue ReadingWe step into the vault on this Flashback Friday as the Class of 2019 gets set to graduate and some basketball athletes will have the opportunity to play at the next level. There will be players that will make an impact immediately and there will be a lot that will simply have to wait their turn. In some instances some players and colleges will have to wait a few years before we see prospects step on the court.
Class of 2016 and current New Orleans Pelican Frank Jackson was something else in high school. while only playing 3 seasons at Lone Peak High School he nearly amassed the 2,000 point mark.
He was an All-American and a YouTube sensation.
Photo by Brian BabineauDuring Frank’s junior year in high school he was putting up ridiculous numbers against powerhouse programs. He scored 43 points against Colorado power Overland. He followed that up with a 54 piece against Clark, NV. It was clear to every onlooker at The Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas that Frank was special.
Ranked as the 10th best player in the country. Frank had some fantastic offers but eventually decided to de-commit from local Brigham Young University to head to Duke University.
While competing on the court there were times when other players got the best of him at times one-on-one or in the win column. In the long run it didn’t really matter because Frank was going to be one and done.
Frank was a killer especially when he suited up for the Utah Prospects/Exum Elite. While at Lone Peak he dazzled the crowd with his high flying warm-up act. While at Duke most people couldn’t believe what this kid from Utah could do.
LAS VEGAS, NV – July 23, 2015: The Adidas Uprising Summer Championships (Photo by Kelly Kline/adidas) Frank Jackson vs, Dennis Smith Jr.When Frank squared off against West Linn, OR and Peyton Pritchard current University of Oregon PG. West Linn and Pritchard came out on top but Pritchard was still ranked 54th. Although rankings matter evaporators and scouts see past wins and losses. Every single player ranked above Frank Jackson is currently on an NBA roster. With the likes of Lonzo Ball (Lakers), Jayson Tatum (Celtics) and De’Aaron Fox (Kings). The only players that were not in the Top 10 on the ESPN Top 100 for The Class of 2016 that made the league are #11 Terence Furgeson and #37 Zach Collins.
Frank is constantly in the gym working on his craft or training to get better. While battling injuries early in his NBA career we are finally starting to see a glimpse of what Frank can do at the highest level.
Lone Peak Stats:
12th Grade: 28 PPG, 7 RPG & 3 APG
11th Grade: 26 PPG, 5 RPG & 2 APG
10th Grade: 18 PPG, 3 RPG & 2 APG
9th Grade: No Stats
During the 2015-2016 season the only Top 10 scorer during Frank Jackson’s final season that will play Division 1 basketball is Trevin Knell (11th Grade) of Woods Cross who recently arrived from his mission and will play at BYU.
When Frank was a junior he lead the state in scoring over 4 other Division 1 players in the Top 10. Jesse Wade, Zac Seljaas, Brock Miller and Jake Lindsey.
As a sophomore Frank wasn’t in the Top 10 in scoring and there was only one player in the Top 10 to play Division 1 ball (TJ Hawes).
While we see young players and parents complain about playing time and even rankings. In all reality if you’re good someone will find you. If you are good you will go to a school where you are wanted and you will make sure everyone knows who you are and how good you are. If you are good you typically work in silence and let your game speak for yourself.
Comparing yourself to other players because you gave someone buckets at the rec or in a Spring League game means nothing. There is more to the next level than just points.