Josh Jackson has only been on the Kansas campus for a few days, but he already is showing the type of impact he can have.
Jackson, an American Family Insurance ALL-USA Basketball First Team selection for Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), scored 21 points during a KU camp scrimmage Wednesday.
In his first interview with reporters who cover the Jayhawks, Jackson appeared comfortable with the cameras and showed some personality. He also debunked the notion that he is planning on a brief stay in Lawrence.
“A lot of people would say that I’m a one-and-done player, but I don’t really view myself that way,” Jackson said in the video above. “I think I’ll be here as long as I need to be, until I feel like I’m ready to take that next step. While I’m here, I just want to get as good as I can and win as many games as I can.”
As for the 21 points, Jackson said he didn’t know how many he scored. “If it was 21, it was 21,” he said, but he also understood the expectations that surround him, especially being the No. 1 player in the Class of 2016, according to many.
“I felt like I had a lot of expectations to live up to, not only for the media and the outside world, but also the guys within this team and within the gym that I’m in,” Jackson said. “I just didn’t want to let anybody down. I just wanted to show them I can play and I can be helpful to the team this year.”
As for his first few days in Lawrence: So far, so good.
“I had no idea, but it’s lovely. I love the campus. It’s beautiful. It’s everything I thought it would be,” Jackson said. “Just being here makes me feel even more good about making the choice that I did.”