As has been documented here, the program in Jackson, MS is enjoying a quick ascent in the wake of hiring Robert Brooks as head coach. And now, with the conclusion of Season 324 and with two of Brooks’s recruiting classes on the roster, the team has done very well in the Conference 10 awards.
Last season, it was Jordan Flores and Phillip Russo being feted with spots on the Conference All-Freshman Team. Flores was also named Conference Freshman of the Year, while Russo was given a spot on the All-League Freshman 2nd Team.
Now, those two have earned spots on the All-Conference First Team (Russo) and All-Conference Second Team (Flores). In addition another pair of freshmen have been given spots on the Conference All-Freshman team, in Garrett Burks and Jakob Collins. Thus, four starters on this year’s team were given awards, and they are just freshmen and sophomores.
And tomorrow, another trio of recruits will join the program with the intent to push things even further. Reports are that the team doesn’t have stars who are slam dunks to coming to Jackson but that they are in good enough position with enough high school seniors that they ought to come out of it fine, just the particulars of who will comprise the class won’t be known until 11am when announcements are made.
There is some talk of what should happen if the program comes up empty on those options? What if they all see that playing time is already hard to come by and stay away? Sources also say that the team is satisfied in the wait-and-see commits they have lined up in that event.
It’s believed that the high school player deemed most likely to be a part of the class is Malik Miller. Miller actually plays ball in Jackson and would be a hometown commit, something seen as being a little special, at least. Miller is seen as a solid point guard prospect who would caddy for Jordan Flores for a couple years before likely becoming the starter as a junior. He’s seen as a defender with some solid ball distribution skills on the offensive end. His own capacity for scoring is a subject of disagreement among scouts, however.
If the team does well in pulling high end talent again, their rotation next season could be scary.
Stay tuned!
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