Maryland basketball has had its share of high-flyers, highlight-video dunkers like Len Bias, Steve Francis and Chris Wilcox. Matching their career accomplishments is a lofty hope for any prospect, but one of Kevin Willard’s next recruits might be in their class as a leaper. Recent Maryland commitment Marcus Jackson reportedly logged a nearly impossible vertical measurement leap during a preseason combine at the school he attends, Compass Prep (Ariz.).

Via Dylan Ackerman of Cronkite News:

Showing off his athleticism and 50-inch vertical – the highest at the pro day and seemingly effortless – by nearly breaking the rim on every drill, Jackson did so because there is no other option given how hard his teammates compete as top recruits themselves.

“That’s something I got to bring every day,” Jackson said. “If you don’t got energy, you can’t be on the floor. In order to be on this team, I have to play defense, I have to hustle and I have to be a dog. You’re not always going to have your way. We all show out, so I have, too.”

That number seems hard to believe, given no one’s ever jumped higher than 48.5 inches at the NBA Combine, pulled off by Tennessee’s Keon Johnson in 2021 (video), and no one in combine history has surpassed 45.5 inches. Regardless, Jackson can soar. He established that during the summer, when he led Team Thrill — the same AAU program that produced Derik Queen — to the Under Armour Association championship while averaging  13.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 65 percent shooting. 

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His play earned him one of the largest rises of any player in the most recent update of 247Sports’ 2025 basketball recruiting rankings, from No. 107 to No. 65. 

Maryland Basketball Scoop: Recruiting Pipeline Developing | Practice Buzz | Recognizing his Role

Previously known mostly for his low-post game, he showed off a much-improved jumper, making 16 of 36 three-pointers. Classified by 247Sports as a center, he’s ranked No. 6 nationally at the position. If Queen is around for his sophomore year, the two could form a contrasting frontcourt combination of ferocious dunks and exceptional skill.

DO NOT JUMP with 4⭐️ Marcus Jackson ?

The 6’8” rising senior was unstoppable this summer and just committed to Maryland! ??@23marcus__ @UANextBHoops @UAbasketball pic.twitter.com/kDnvbKMQAl

— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) September 9, 2024

He committed to Maryland over offers from Auburn, Arizona State, Illinois, Georgetown Iowa and others shortly after his official visit in September.

“I’ve wanted to play with Derik at the college level for years now. I think both of us can unlock other parts of our games because we have the chemistry and our strengths go well together. We’ll have a Baltimore frontcourt that’s going to bring winning to Maryland.”

More from Ackerman:

“Marcus Jackson, a four-star recruit ranked 107th nationally in the class of 2025, according to 247Sports, spoke with Pearl, whose program was among Jackson’s final eight schools along with programs like Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgetown. He has committed to Maryland. Jackson previously attended John Marshall, a prep school in Richmond, Virginia, before enrolling at AZ Compass. He described a pro day like this as a first and a “big step.”

Marcus Jackson’s 247Sports scouting report, via Adam Finkelstein:

Marcus Jackson is a long and athletic lefty big man with some developing face-up skill. While he’s capable of playing either frontcourt spot, he can be a bit undersized at the five. Beyond that though, he has exceptional physical tools. He’s extremely bouncy and quick off his feet athletically, and able to play up at the top of the box. His frame is naturally sturdy and should really blossom with additional muscle mass in the coming years. He runs and changes ends extremely well, with long and powerful strides, and shows some lateral mobility as well.

Offensively, Jackson is an extreme finisher, with power to match his explosiveness, and a major lob threat. He can thrive as a rim-runner, roller, and in the dunker spot. Jackson possesses elite and dynamic finishing ability that can immediately change the momentum of a game.

From a skill standpoint, Jackson has demonstrated clear progression in recent years. He now has a soft face-up shooting touch, along with a high and deep release point that allows him to get his shot off at virtually any time. Sometimes, that can actually be a liability, as he can settle or force tough shots at inopportune times. His shot selection showed real maturation over the course of the year though, converting 65% from the floor overall in UAA play, while making 44% of his threes, a total of 16 in 17 games, and 69% of his free throws. The glaring statistical red flag though is just one total assist in the entire season against 18 turnovers.

Defensively, he has some versatility with his ability to both block shots (1.4 per game) as well as move his feet enough to show and recover defending ball screens. He’s also a willing and valuable communicator on that end of the floor, with a big voice.