I was sad to hear that Josh Jackson, probably the best college basketball prospect in the state's incoming freshman class won't be blessing Oakland County with his skills for his pending prep career.

Even though Jackson attended junior high school in Southfield, it looks like he will be playing his high school hoops at Detroit Consortium.

At 6-foot-3 and still growing, Jackson is a rare talent on the hardwood. The buzz surrounding him right now reminds me of the feeling surrounding future NBA'er Shane Battier's entrance onto the prep cage stage back in the mid-1990s at Birmingham Detroit Country Day……3 state crowns, 2 Final Fours, and a National Championship and NBA World Title apiece later…yada, yada, yada

Personally, I've only seen him play once – in an AAU game this past spring. And all I can say is – AS ADVERTISED!!! Smooth as silk and a killer in the lane and on the break.

Just to give you a sense of what we're dealing with here: More than one member of the Birmingham DCD coaching staff told me he would have started for the national powerhouse  Yellowjackets last season, as only an eighth grader. Several well-respected scouts from the area have said to me that he would most likely have started for any team in the state last year.

Keep an eye out for this kid the next few years, you won't be disappointed.