Maryland basketball really needed Justin Jackson back

Justin Jackson is coming back to Maryland basketball for his sophomore season, eschewing an early shot at the pros for at least for one year.

His return gives Maryland its second-leading scorer — and most talented returning player — back. That’s a positive development for a team that’ll need everything he can provide.

Maryland already lost Melo Trimble. Jackson’s going to need to help pick up some of that slack.

Let’s take a look at Maryland’s page on Sports Reference:

Maryland would have had to make up for 26 points per game without both Jackson and Melo Trimble, who departed the team for the pros after his junior season.