If you haven't heard the name yet, you will want to start learning it quickly as 2025 Jackson Keith from Southern Durham has the attention from college coaches all around the country early on. Keith, who is just coming off his freshman campaign, has found early success on the court and it doesn't look like he is slowing down. He is coming off a season in which he nearly averaged 17 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game and he is finding the same success this summer.
Which is why he is already racking in high major offers at a young age. Keith holds offers from North Carolina A&T, Radford, Texas A&M, Illinois, and just earned an offer from Mississippi State. Phenom Hoops spoke with the rising star from North Carolina to learn more about his game and thoughts early on in his recruitment.
Phenom: How has everything been going this summer for you as far as basketball'
Keith: This summer has been an eye-opening experience, making the transition to Team Loaded opened doors for me to play some of my best basketball against some of the best teams and players in the country. My coaches have been pushing me and holding me to standards that I never would have pushed myself towards. It's been great to sum it all up.
Phenom: Going back to your high school season. You had a special one for such a young prospect. What was your mindset throughout the year and what did you learn quickly as a freshman'
Keith: My mindset throughout the year was to wake everyone up. Since Covid took away my last 8th-grade season and affected some recognition I believe I deserved. I wanted to make a statement that our team can be serious contenders for a state championship. My coaches allowed me to display my talent and my teammates trusted me to have a great year. Some things I learned as a freshman that I wish I realized earlier in the year is even though being an underclassman it is needed to control the games’ pace and tempo. Once I learned how to do this, I had some of my best games and performances this created opportunities such as winning Player of the year awards, all teams and college offers/interest.
Phenom: How do you think you have improved with your game over the last year and getting to show more this summer'
Keith: Over the last year I have improved my shot-making ability whether it be off the catch or off the dribble and playing on the ball defense. Improving ball-handling has been an emphasis all summer also. This summer I have attempted and strived at showing my versatility whether that be on the defensive end or on the offensive end.
Phenom: How would you best describe your game on the court and how you like to operate'
Keith: I would best describe my game as a Swiss army knife, I can get downhill off multiple moves to the basket, get to my spots and use my length and size to rise over defenders frequently in the mid-range and I operate best through the midrange and paint touches and slowly expand out to behind the line. Obviously, my athleticism helps a lot with many things I feel as if I can rise up and get to my spots on any defender at any time.
Phenom: You have earned some strong offers early on and I know it is still early, but what is it like to get that early recognition from big schools'
Keith: It feels great, you always talk about the hard work paying off and it becomes a cliche, but you never know when it will happen. Thankfully it is a blessing and a curse it has started early, and I couldn't be happier, it just pushes you to continue to get better and push yourself to your potential. I love the early recognition it shows you people believe in your ability as a player and even more as a person.
Phenom: What is your excitement with the schools that have offered (North Carolina A&T, Radford, Texas A&M, Illinois, and Mississippi State)' What all do you know about any of them'
Keith: The excitement around the schools that have offered me this early is that they believe in me and that I will continue to get better as a person on and off the court. I've had great talks with each about the culture of their program every single coach I have spoken to I know they will be honest with me at all times and truly want what's best for me. Illinois coaching staff has built a great relationship with me with talks and more which is really intriguing for me. I also had a long and Great talk with Texas A&M which mainly was not about basketball, they spoke with my father for a while also and we built a great relationship deeper than basketball.
Phenom: Still early again, but are there any schools that you know you want to visit down the road'
Keith: Since it is so early, I would have to do my research more and more and find schools that would perfectly fit me and my game. Of course, there are always those schools you dreamed of playing at as a kid but whatever school makes me a priority for me and their program is a school I am interested in 100 percent.
