Top HS basketball recruit Jackson down to three schools

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Josh Jackson's high school basketball experience isn't like most.

Instead of playing with his hometown friends, Jackson and his mother decided it would be best for him to move from Detroit, Mich. to Napa to further his education and basketball career.

But why Napa of all places?

The move, though unorthodox and not easy, was simple. Jackson would attend Justin Siena High School and play for Prolific Prep, a college-preparatory basketball academy for serious student athletes. 

Flying across country after playing his first two years of high school in Michigan was the right choice, but definitely a hard one, Jackson told CSN Bay Area's Mindi Bach in an exclusive interview on an episode of "SportsTalk Live."

"Yes, it was very difficult for me," Jackson said. "Coming into it in the beginning I wasn't too sure about coming out here and playing and leaving home."

Jackson, 6-foot-8, 195 pounds, is listed as the No. 1 recruit in the 2016 class by Rivals of Yahoo! Sports and No. 3 in ESPN's rankings. He plays both small forward and shooting guard with the length of a big and skills of a guard. 

"I don't really regret anything," Jackson said on moving to Napa. "I actually love that we made this decision for me to come out here."

The real question now is, where will Jackson play his college ball at? With coaches itching to get an answer out of the 19-year-old, Jackson didn't reveal his final decision, but did say who is still in the running. 

"Michigan State, Arizona and Kansas," Jackson says are the only ones left in the race. He has officially visited both Arizona and Kansas.

This Saturday is Senior Night for Jackson and  two others. Like himself, they too have a unique journey in high school basketball and had to put their egos at the door. 

"Not just the seniors, but every guy on the team, we all come from different places and none of us are from Napa, but we all just came together and formed this team," Jackson said on his bond with his teammates.

"Looking at it, it's a real beautiful thing. We all came together to do something amazing, and playing together and win as many games as possible and become a family at the same time. It's real fun, I have a lot of fun with those guys."

Jackson is one of five finalists for the Naismith Trophy Boys High School Player of the Year. The winner will be announced March 10.

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