Michigan announces signing of 2020 guard Zeb Jackson

Zeb Jackson, a four-star guard, is officially a member of the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball program after sending in his letter of intent to the university, U-M Athletics announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday kicked off a week-long early signing period across college basketball and Jackson, who was the original member of the 2020 recruiting class, wasted no time getting in his paperwork.

“The commitment Zeb has shown to improve himself as a person, as well as a player, has been a joy to watch,” head coach Juwan Howard said, via the U-M release. “He is a bright student with a tremendous passion for the game of basketball, and we welcome that here at the University of Michigan. He is skilled, athletic and has a very diverse game, allowing him to play multiple positions. Zeb Sr. and Shonda have raised a wonderful young man. We cannot wait for him to get to Ann Arbor.”

Jackson also spoke about his signing in the release:

“I am so appreciative to Coach Howard and the rest of the staff for believing in me and giving me this opportunity,” Jackson said in the statement. “It’s amazing to see this dream come true, and it is exciting to say I’m officially part of the best university in the world with the best fans in the world! Go Blue!”

Jackson is the 62nd overall player in the country and 11th-ranked shooting guard in the 2020 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He originally committed in Oct. 2018 under John Beilein’s staff, but maintained his pledge to Michigan throughout the coaching transition from Beilein to Howard.

Michigan currently has one other player committed to the 2020 class in five-star forward Isaiah Todd, who made his announcement last month. As of this posting, he had not sent his NLI into Ann Arbor.

Here’s more on his background from the Michigan release:

“After spending three years in nearby Maumee Valley Country Day in Toledo, Ohio, Jackson transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, for his senior season. Montverde was the national high school runner-up last season.

At Maumee Valley, he spent three years playing for coach Rob Conover and helped the Hawks to a 54-22 record with back-to-back sectional and district titles in 2018 and 2019. Maumee Valley reached the Sweet 16 in the regional in 2018 and the final eight in 2019. For his three-year career he scored 1,605 points, averaging 25.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.7 steals per game.

Jackson was a three-time All-Toledo Area Athletic Conference first team selection as well as Player of the Year in 2019. He added three all-district first team honors as well as District Player of the Year honors. An Division IV all-state honorable mention guard in 2018, he was a first team all-state selection in 2019 while adding Division IV Player of the Year honors.

The Wolverines will lose seniors Zavier Simpson, Jon Teske and Austin Davis to graduation. However, Davis still has a year of eligibility remaining after redshirting his freshman season.”

Michigan has two spots open in the 2020 class. For more on where they may go next on the recruiting trail, hit our primer here.