Markese Jacobs still has another two years before he starts his career at Kansas, but that hasn’t stopped him from picking up attention across the country.
Jacobs, a Kansas commit in the Class of 2019, had one of the dunks of the spring when he slammed a windmill dunk on a fastbreak at the CP3 Memorial Day Classic in California.
The 5-foot-10 guard caught the ball on the right side of the lane, near the free-throw line. Then he took one dribble and exploded up for a ferocious right-handed jam.
Playing for Chicago’s Mac Irvin Fire, Jacobs has posted some his best AAU performances during the tournament, catching the eyes of evaluators — and the national player of the year.
After watching video of the highlight dunk, former Kansas guard Frank Mason III wrote on Twitter, “That young boy up to something, keep up that mindset and you will be unstoppable.”
That young boy up to something, keep that mindset and you will be unstoppable. #KUCMB @markese_24 https://t.co/yuvcx8lUCE
— Frank Mason (@FrankMason0) May 30, 2017
The dunk was only a part of Jacobs’ big weekend during the showcase, scoring in flurries for the 16-and-under team. He reportedly had multiple games with at least 20 points.
“A true high flyer with strength at just 5-foot-10 (and that could be generous),” [wrote Eric Bossi of Rivals.com][1], “Jacobs went wild in the second half scoring 21 points on a series of drives, jump shots and one very loud windmill dunk. We have seen Jacobs multiple times this spring and Friday was far and away his best performance.”
Evan Daniels, of Scout.com, added: “Got my first live look at Kansas commit Markese Jacobs. Big time athlete with absurd speed. Made a windmill look easy. Can shoot it too.”
https://twitter.com/AWProductions_/status/869338546217168896
Jacobs spent last season playing alongside his brother at Uplift High in Chicago’s vaunted Public League, but announced he will transfer to Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix for his upcoming junior year. It’s the same school that produced top recruit DeAndre Ayton.
In a [recent interview with Andrew Slater of 247 Sports][2], Jacobs said his role is bringing energy to the court, and Kansas coaches want him to continue to make his teammates better.
“Show everyone that you’re a lockdown defender,” Jacobs [told Slater of the message from KU coaches][3]. “Show everyone that you can score when you want to, but now get your teammates involved. Score when you need to.”
Jacobs became the first member of KU’s 2019 class when he made a non-binding oral commitment in October. He committed about 24 hours after visiting Allen Fieldhouse for Late Night in the Phog.
“I just loved the feeling walking around campus and the program,” Jacobs said. “It’s always great. They always win. They’ve had guards like me. They produce pros.”
Jacobs, not afraid of big expectations, had one message for Kansas fans.
“They should be excited because they’re gonna have another big-time guard like Frank Mason,” he said.
Rankings Don’t Mean Much But I Still Want To Be #1 #TrustTheProcess ????????????
— Markese Jacobs (@TheShowJacobs) May 31, 2017
[1]: https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/cp3-memorial-day-classic-potentially-elite-wing-scott-barnes-has-next
[2]: http://kansas.247sports.com/Article/MrEnergy-Quick-Q-A-with-Explosive-Kansas-Commit-Markese-Jacobs-J-52951657
[3]: http://kansas.247sports.com/Article/MrEnergy-Quick-Q-A-with-Explosive-Kansas-Commit-Markese-Jacobs-J-52951657
