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Player Profile: Xaivier Jackson (Selinsgrove, PA)

 


Name: Xaivier Jackson

Hometown: Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Height: 6-2

Position: Shooting Guard/Point Guard

High School: Selinsgrove Area (PA)

Graduation Class: 2027

AAU Club: Team Final Red EYCL

GPA: 3.0

Accomplishments: PHAC All-Conference Second Team (2024)

NCAA ID: 2311155149

Recruiting Email: xaivierjackson2@gmail.com

Status: Uncommitted 

SELINSGROVE, PA -- Xaivier Jackson is a 6-2 Combo Guard from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. He's currently a freshman at Selinsgrove Area High School, and runs with Team Final Red in Nike's EYBL Champions League (EYCL). One of the up-and-coming players in North Central PA, Jackson was named a Heartland Athletic Conference all star after averaging 10.4 points per game in his freshman season to help lead the Seals to an 18-8 record and District 4 5A championship.

Discovering Jackson throughout the season, the kid is a gamer. I don't use that word loosely in how I evaluate talent, but the freshman guard has a lot of potential as a long term project. Capable of running an offense, scores smoothly from all three levels, and is a pest in the trenches of the defensive end. Jackson has began to engage more with exposure attending showcases and joining the Team Final network, but I'm a firm believer that the Selinsgrove product can be a really good collegiate prospect one day as long as he continues to develop and put himself out there. 

Especially coming from a small town.

The RPN caught up with the 2027 prospect on a breakdown of his game, first year experience and the outlook heading into sophomore season.

Xaivier Jackson Breakdown
Strengths:
All Around Defender
  • "Due to being a big guard, Jackson utilizes his size and long wingspan to make an opposing player's life a living hell. Getting into the passing lanes, tipping passes and having a gift of being able to guard 1 through 4 given the assignment. He reminds me of a certain someone on the Brooklyn Nets. It'll come back to mind, but Jackson is very passionate about defense and takes pride on guarding the other team's best defender."

Athleticism
  • "I don't know what's in the water up north, but there are some cold athletes hiding in the shadows. It boggles the mind seeing how athletic some of those kids are, yet wouldn't know them off the bat. Jackson is a natural athlete who can very well put that to use throughout his career. Even seeing him take off for layups or throughout his finishes in general, he can very well be dunking that soon with help from a VertiMax or strength program. Just wanted to point that out, that is it, that is all."

Can Score at all three levels
  • "Jackson began to raise his stock as a two-way player this past season. Playing beside standout Ries Naugle has benefitted in being around veteran leadership, but the 2027 guard was forced to grow up and proved himself. Taking defenders off the dribble, a selective finishing package and shooting off the catch to score has been on point at a young age. His offensive game will only continue to grow these next few years."

High Intensity Prospect
  • "'High intensity' tends to be thrown around in verbiage, but a coach can't teach this trait. This is where Jackson comes in. Always active on both sides of the ball, while doing the little things to uplift a team, he's a very chill dude but by the time the ball goes up the switch is on."

High IQ 
  • "The RPN was created off of high IQ and ethical hoops takes as Jackson has earned his keep. Always looks to make the right read off the catch, or on the defensive end. Having a high IQ may sound like the bare minimum, but at his age, Jackson is steps ahead and will only benefit him as he continues to grow."

Things to Improve On:
Being More Creative
  • "The biggest thing Jackson emphasized in the walkthrough is getting more creative with the ball. Focusing more on his bag work to create more space against defenders. Jackson has a desire to work on combo moves, while opening himself up to more shooting opportunities from beyond the arc. In reality, he strives to be unguardable as every other prospect would too."

Confidence
  • "If Jackson raises the price in the mental aspect, he can be very dangerous in the near future. That doesn't mean to start going one-on-five, or dribbling the air out in a shot clock, but start taking over games at his disposal. Trusting your bag is very important, but knowing who you are as a player will take you a long way. Sizing up a mismatch, being aggressive when touching the rock, providing leadership at all times inside a program, Jackson's game will only grow as he gets confident throughout his journey."

Shooting
  • "I say this to the majority of young talent, so slow down the extra comments. If Jackson can learn to become a consistent threat in his shooting, then it will open the door in his exposure. Off the catch three, off the dribble pulling up from 15 feet out and plus to even his mechanics exploding off two feet, there's much for Jackson to work on. This will only free him up more for shot opportunities, while using less energy in always looking to get to the rim."

Xaivier Jackson Interview
When did you first start playing basketball?
  • "I started playing basketball when i was 5 years old. I have always been around basketball, my family has always played the sport. I started playing in a local YMCA league which then lead up to youth travel ball."

How would you describe your game?
  • "I think that I'm a big threat because I can do anything. From bringing the ball up the court, playing in the high post when needed, and can shoot from beyond the three point line. Am also serviceable to beat defenders off the dribble, and finish around the rim with contact at a high rate."
  • "I do think that defense is probably my best skill, though." Jackson said. "I can guard any position full court, or even in the post. Due to having a long wingspan, I am able to deflect passes, steal the ball, and block shots from right in front and help side."

How was life growing up in the Grove?
  • "I enjoy living in Selinsgrove to a certain extent, Small quiet area, but everyone knows someone, you know? Not much to do in the country side area. I lived in the city for a short period of time with more things to do and a lot more people. Even this year in the season, we made it to the state playoffs for the first time in 20 plus years. It brought a big group of people from the community, and it was a very big moment for Selinsgrove."

How was your first year experience?

  • "First year of high school has gone very well, Academically, I have kept my grades up very well. Social wise has gone just as well as I have always had older friends from sports, family friends, and just overall being social with just about anyone. It's a good trait to have."


How was your freshman season?
  • "I would say my freshman year went very well. Individually I think I did very well adapting to the speed change from junior high to varsity. I averaged just over 10 points a game, while having multiple assists and steals a game as well. Team wise we did just as well winning districts for the first time in 20 plus years in 5A. We made a second round state run beating a very talented Muhlenberg team in the opener. Overall, we had a very good team everybody got along and we always worked as hard as we possibly could."

You’re still at a very early stage of your career. What kinds of things are you doing to make yourself the best player you can be?
  • "The biggest things that I am working on are being able to come off screens, and make shots consistently also be able to shoot off the dribble. I have also been working on getting a tighter dribble. I have been Working on finishing around the rim off of two feet and off of one. I do a lot of plyometrics and explosive weight training to help with quickness and explosiveness."

Being from a small town, you have to work more harder to make yourself known. That's where the Team Final network comes in. Discuss on why you joined Team Final Red and the importance of exposure throughout the offseason.
  • "Having to fight for recognition is pretty hard especially at a younger age because colleges like to look at older kids in the portal because they are closer to the time of playing college ball than underclassmen. Joining Team Final will help me with recognition drastically. We'll be playing in national tournaments in Memphis, Kansas City, Indianapolis and hopefully Peach Jam. We'll also be in regional tournaments in Hoop Group and in the Made Hoops Circuit."

Who is your favorite player and why?
  • "My favorite player is LeBron (James) because of the influence he has on the game, and how well he does everything. His game is very versatile being able to defend, and score against just about anyone he plays against."

Who would you say are your role models?
  • "Both of my parents. They are very hardworking, and always push me to be the greatest person I can be."

Our interests change throughout time, but it’s important for recruits to have an idea about college basketball. What do you ideally look for in a school? 
  • "I want to go to a school that is diverse. I also want to play basketball at a school where the coach has been there for multiple years, and has experience with the program. To play at a program that has good chemistry, where everyone gets along, and is willing to work their hardest."

What is the outlook heading into year two?
  • "My goal is to double my averages from this past year. Team wise I want to hopefully be competing for another district championship and possibly make another state run. If that doesn’t happen hope to at least have a successful season and have a positive record. To further mention, I want to earn another PHAC bid for All-Conference and within District 4."

Thank you X for taking the time to join me this morning. Appreciate having you here man. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation? Any last words?
  • "I’d say that you should always set goals ahead of time no matter what it’s for. Always having a plan if something doesn’t go the way you originally wanted it to. Thank you for doing this. Very appreciated!"

Twitter @Xaivierj2

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Location: Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA