Elmarko Jackson has shown flashes of what could be an elite stat sheet stuffer for the Kansas Jayhawks. The former McDonald’s All-American averaged 4.3 points per game, on nearly 19 minutes, on a 40.6% field goal rate, with 1.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, in his 17 games in the 2023-24 season. However, an injury during the 2024 Summer kept him out of play last season, as Kansas finished with a 21-13 record.
During his redshirt sophomore season, Jackson has looked to be finding his form again under head coach Bill Self.
So far this season, in 13 games, Jackson has averaged 3.8 points, 1.7 assists, .5 blocks, and 2.1 rebounds, with a decent 35.3% three-point rate along with a 32.7% field goal clip.
Jackson’s best game this season came in Kansas’ third-place match in the Players Era Championship against the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers. Despite Kansas trailing by double-digits, having played against both Notre Dame and Syracuse in the days prior, a Darryn Peterson-less squad grinded itself to an 81-76 win over the SEC side. Jackson totaled 17 points on 4-7 shooting with a 2-3 mark from beyond the arc, and seven points from the free throw line. Jackson added a further four rebounds, one assist, and one block.
In Kansas’ next game, a 61-56 loss to the No. 5 UConn Huskies, Jackson added another 11 points on a 4-9 mark from the field, with a 2-5 night from three.
Jackson has yet to have another double-digit game, but it was always going to be hardter a complete season away from basketball for him to be completely back to game sharpness, however, if Jackson can chip in the occasional big scoring night. Do not be surprised to see him lead Kansas to another couple of wins in the midst of a gritty Big 12 schedule.
Kansas next takes to the hardwood against the UCF Golden Knights on January 3rd at 1 p.m. CT with streaming available on Peacock.
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