2025-2026 Season
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
MugCostanza
Well-known member
don_pitino
Well-known member
Guys seem thrilled to be there and ready to grind.
The video seems as if it's been removed.
Not sure why they removed it.
Mitchell is supposed to be a lockdown defender IIRC
jerseyshorejohnny
Well-known member
Caught up with Ian Jackson today.
A few quotes:
On those questioning if he can play PG:
"Me going out there and playing is all the ammunition I need. People say fuel to the fire, but fire's already lit.
"I don't think there's any doubt that I can be dominant at this position. I wholeheartedly believe and I'm super confident in it."
"What excites me the most is the opportunity to do something different, the opportunity to walk into a different door, expand my game at a different level."
More Jackson:
"Reps, film and repeat. Just try to get better. I watch my practice film when I have the ball, figuring out why I made a good read and looking to repeat it again. Figuring out why I made the bad ones and looking to eliminate them. Just try to understand the game at that position."
On the Draft:
"It's just not my time yet and that's fine. I'm at St. Johns now and that's where my feet are at, that's where my mind is at. Whenever the next step happens, it happens."
A few quotes:
On those questioning if he can play PG:
"Me going out there and playing is all the ammunition I need. People say fuel to the fire, but fire's already lit.
"I don't think there's any doubt that I can be dominant at this position. I wholeheartedly believe and I'm super confident in it."
"What excites me the most is the opportunity to do something different, the opportunity to walk into a different door, expand my game at a different level."
More Jackson:
"Reps, film and repeat. Just try to get better. I watch my practice film when I have the ball, figuring out why I made a good read and looking to repeat it again. Figuring out why I made the bad ones and looking to eliminate them. Just try to understand the game at that position."
On the Draft:
"It's just not my time yet and that's fine. I'm at St. Johns now and that's where my feet are at, that's where my mind is at. Whenever the next step happens, it happens."
Thanks JSJ.
I'm less concerned about him as an offensive playsetter than I am for defense. It was almost non-existent and pourous at UNC. Pitino really needs to drill this over the summer.
I'm less concerned about him as an offensive playsetter than I am for defense. It was almost non-existent and pourous at UNC. Pitino really needs to drill this over the summer.
Our new point guard.
Zach Braziller
Published June 23, 2025, 7:00 a.m. ET
Comments
Ian Jackson is confident in his ability to transition to point guard. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Get Zach Braziller’s text messages with all the latest St. John’s info and get your questions answered — exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.
SIGN UP NOW
It isn’t arrogance. It isn’t cockiness.
It is self-belief.
Ian Jackson fully expects to excel back home, playing a new position for St. John’s and Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.
He has heard the whispers, the questions about him moving to point guard. Jackson doesn’t feel the need to respond to those who don’t think he can do it.
“Me going out there and playing is all the ammunition I need. People say fuel to the fire, but fire’s already lit,” The Bronx native and North Carolina transfer told The Post in an exclusive interview Sunday during a break in his Captain Jack Basketball Camp for kids at John Philip Sousa Jr. High.
Later, he said: “I don’t think there’s any doubt that I can be dominant at this position. I wholeheartedly believe and I’m super confident in it.”
The former McDonald’s All-American and five-star recruit played some point guard in high school at Cardinal Hayes and on the AAU circuit with the Whiz Kids. Now, a year after primarily playing off the ball at North Carolina, he is being taught it by not only Pitino, but assistant coach Taliek Brown, a national championship-winning point guard in his day.
3
Ian Jackson looks on during his basketball camp on June 22, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“What excites me the most is the opportunity to do something different, the opportunity to walk into a different door, expand my game at a different level,” said Jackson, a rising sophomore.
It is an ongoing process of learning, Jackson wanted to be clear. It’s about getting reps at point guard and putting in the time outside of St. John’s summer workouts, watching film of himself, what he is doing right and what he is doing wrong. Several times a week, he works out with Chris Brickley, a former Pitino player who trains numerous NBA stars.
“Reps, film and repeat. Just try to get better,” the 6-foot-4 Jackson said. “I watch my practice film when I have the ball, figuring out why I made a good read and looking to repeat it again. Figuring out why I made the bad ones and looking to eliminate them. Just try to understand the game at that position.”
Jackson was in his element Sunday, enjoying himself on a basketball court. He was relaxed and invested, making sure to be present for the kids who look up to him. He offered them pointers, ran drills and celebrated big baskets during a brief scrimmage. Jackson seems relieved to be home.
“He’s back to where he was in high school, McDonald’s All-American going into college,” his advisor and former AAU coach Mugsy Leggett said. “His self-esteem is high, his confidence level is high, his way of thinking is different. It’s like a new beginning for him, coming into something where now he can play his game.”
3
Ian Jackson previously played at North Carolina before transferring to St. John’s. AP
His first year of college didn’t go quite as planned. He was expected to be one-and-done, to spend one year at North Carolina and be off to the NBA. Jackson started well and averaged 22.7 points during a seven-game stretch from Dec. 21-Jan. 15. But his playing time became inconsistent, at times squeezed out of a crowded backcourt by more experienced players. He could’ve gone pro, probably still ended up being a first-round pick. But Jackson felt he needed more time in school, and loved the idea of playing for Pitino.
He plans to watch the draft Wednesday and root for former North Carolina teammate Drake Powell. It won’t be a bittersweet moment for him.
“It’s just not my time yet and that’s fine,” Jackson said. “I’m at St. Johns now and that’s where my feet are at, that’s where my mind is at. Whenever the next step happens, it happens.”
3
Ian Jackson looks on during his basketball camp on June 22, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post
He is thrilled to be back in New York City, part of a St. John’s program on the upswing. The Johnnies broke through in Pitino’s second season last winter, winning the Big East regular-season crown and postseason tournament.
After losing to Arkansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, it loaded up in the transfer portal, bringing in the likes of Jackson, Joson Sanon (Arizona State), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Oziyah Sellers (Stanford), Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati) and Dylan Darling (Idaho State). Pitino was able to keep star big man Zuby Ejiofor, the Big East’s potential preseason Player of the Year.
What do you think? Be the first to comment.
Most experts believe St. John’s will be ranked in the top 10 in the preseason. Jackson is a major reason for the offseason hype, the hometown kid coming back to lead the school to what he hopes is another big season and a better March. It’s a lot of pressure — pressure he is embracing.
“It’s going to be amazing,” Jackson said.
St. John’s Ian Jackson confident he can ‘be dominant’ in switch to point guard
ByZach Braziller
Published June 23, 2025, 7:00 a.m. ET
Comments
Access the St. John’s beat like never before
Get Zach Braziller’s text messages with all the latest St. John’s info and get your questions answered — exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.SIGN UP NOW
It isn’t arrogance. It isn’t cockiness.
It is self-belief.
Ian Jackson fully expects to excel back home, playing a new position for St. John’s and Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.
He has heard the whispers, the questions about him moving to point guard. Jackson doesn’t feel the need to respond to those who don’t think he can do it.
“Me going out there and playing is all the ammunition I need. People say fuel to the fire, but fire’s already lit,” The Bronx native and North Carolina transfer told The Post in an exclusive interview Sunday during a break in his Captain Jack Basketball Camp for kids at John Philip Sousa Jr. High.
Later, he said: “I don’t think there’s any doubt that I can be dominant at this position. I wholeheartedly believe and I’m super confident in it.”
The former McDonald’s All-American and five-star recruit played some point guard in high school at Cardinal Hayes and on the AAU circuit with the Whiz Kids. Now, a year after primarily playing off the ball at North Carolina, he is being taught it by not only Pitino, but assistant coach Taliek Brown, a national championship-winning point guard in his day.
3Ian Jackson looks on during his basketball camp on June 22, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“What excites me the most is the opportunity to do something different, the opportunity to walk into a different door, expand my game at a different level,” said Jackson, a rising sophomore.
It is an ongoing process of learning, Jackson wanted to be clear. It’s about getting reps at point guard and putting in the time outside of St. John’s summer workouts, watching film of himself, what he is doing right and what he is doing wrong. Several times a week, he works out with Chris Brickley, a former Pitino player who trains numerous NBA stars.
“Reps, film and repeat. Just try to get better,” the 6-foot-4 Jackson said. “I watch my practice film when I have the ball, figuring out why I made a good read and looking to repeat it again. Figuring out why I made the bad ones and looking to eliminate them. Just try to understand the game at that position.”
EXPLORE MORE
New St. John’s trio training together in chemistry head start with expectations high
How St. John’s new-look roster matches up against Big East foes as co-favorite
St. John’s donor Mike Repole and Rick Pitino horses strike out at Belmont Stakes
He added: “Just being in it, being in the situation. Playing that role over and over again, getting so used to it, it comes second nature to you.”Jackson was in his element Sunday, enjoying himself on a basketball court. He was relaxed and invested, making sure to be present for the kids who look up to him. He offered them pointers, ran drills and celebrated big baskets during a brief scrimmage. Jackson seems relieved to be home.
“He’s back to where he was in high school, McDonald’s All-American going into college,” his advisor and former AAU coach Mugsy Leggett said. “His self-esteem is high, his confidence level is high, his way of thinking is different. It’s like a new beginning for him, coming into something where now he can play his game.”
3Ian Jackson previously played at North Carolina before transferring to St. John’s. AP
His first year of college didn’t go quite as planned. He was expected to be one-and-done, to spend one year at North Carolina and be off to the NBA. Jackson started well and averaged 22.7 points during a seven-game stretch from Dec. 21-Jan. 15. But his playing time became inconsistent, at times squeezed out of a crowded backcourt by more experienced players. He could’ve gone pro, probably still ended up being a first-round pick. But Jackson felt he needed more time in school, and loved the idea of playing for Pitino.
He plans to watch the draft Wednesday and root for former North Carolina teammate Drake Powell. It won’t be a bittersweet moment for him.
“It’s just not my time yet and that’s fine,” Jackson said. “I’m at St. Johns now and that’s where my feet are at, that’s where my mind is at. Whenever the next step happens, it happens.”
3Ian Jackson looks on during his basketball camp on June 22, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post
He is thrilled to be back in New York City, part of a St. John’s program on the upswing. The Johnnies broke through in Pitino’s second season last winter, winning the Big East regular-season crown and postseason tournament.
After losing to Arkansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, it loaded up in the transfer portal, bringing in the likes of Jackson, Joson Sanon (Arizona State), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Oziyah Sellers (Stanford), Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati) and Dylan Darling (Idaho State). Pitino was able to keep star big man Zuby Ejiofor, the Big East’s potential preseason Player of the Year.
What do you think? Be the first to comment.
Most experts believe St. John’s will be ranked in the top 10 in the preseason. Jackson is a major reason for the offseason hype, the hometown kid coming back to lead the school to what he hopes is another big season and a better March. It’s a lot of pressure — pressure he is embracing.
“It’s going to be amazing,” Jackson said.
The kid has "onions"
don_pitino
Well-known member
He won't be locking down point guards, though. I'm sure he'll keep them honest on switches, but he's not stopping the ball consistently. I don't think there is a better defensive front court on paper with Zuby, Mitchell, Prey, and Ayo. None of our guards are lockdown guys, but that can change by December.