Marreon Jackson will finish his college career at Arizona State.
The former Toledo star announced his decision Thursday on Twitter, picking the Sun Devils over Arkansas, Georgetown, and Miami (Fla.).
“It’s definitely going to be a new experience for me,” Jackson said. “I’m very excited.”
Jackson, the 2020-21 Mid-American Conference player of the year, opted to use his free season of eligibility at a major program to help boost his NBA stock. During his year in Tempe, limiting turnovers and being an offensive force will endear him to scouts.
In four seasons at UT, Jackson started all but one game and averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.4 steals. He's a career 37 percent 3-point shooter. Jackson, Toledo’s fourth all-time leading scorer, is coming off a year in which he had 18.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, making him one of the most sought-after transfers in the portal. He was ranked as the ninth-best transfer by The Athletic.
Arizona State is coming off a disappointing 11-14 season and ninth-place finish in the Pac-12. The Sun Devils are coached by former Duke point guard Bobby Hurley, a fiery character who’s had run-ins with multiple coaches, including Toledo’s Tod Kowalczyk.
Hurley tweeted two exclamation points after Jackson revealed his decision.
“Bobby Hurley does a great job with his guards,” Jackson said. “Being able to pick a mind like his, a national champion, his accolades, and the pieces we have coming in, we’re looking to make a deep tourney run.”
Already this offseason, Arizona State had added 6-foot-7 guard AJ Bramah (Robert Morris) and 6-foot-3 guard Jay Heath (Boston College). Bramah averaged 21.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, and Heath put up 14.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
Jackson, Bramah, and Heath will be joined in the backcourt by former Ohio State Buckeye Luther Muhammad and Holland Woods. Four-star center Enoch Boaky, a member of 2022 recruiting class, will attempt to reclassify and play this coming season, creating lofty expectations for Arizona State.
Freshmen Josh Christopher, a shooting guard, and forward Marcus Bagley — both former five-star recruits — have declared for the NBA draft. Fellow freshman Pavlo Dziuba, a 6-foot-8 forward, entered the transfer portal. Christopher, Bagley, and Dzuiba made up the nation’s eighth-ranked recruiting class. Now all of them appeared headed out the door after one subpar season.
Junior forwards Taeshon Cherry and Chris Osten and sophomore guard Jaelen House also entered the transfer portal.
The introduction of Jackson into the locker room will provide Arizona State with a leader and instant credibility. As the team’s starting point guard, it all starts with Jackson, and he’s proven over four seasons at Toledo that he can facilitate and score.
“Being able to have a chance at the tourney with the pieces we have,” Jackson said, “I can’t wait to get to work.”
First Published April 8, 2021, 6:09 p.m.
