"Nobody thinks Shai is Kobe": Ian Jackson shuts down wild comparison from co-host with blunt response

The 2025 NBA Finals have been exciting so far, with many people talking about it, including St. John's transferee Ian Jackson. During his podcast, the "Captain Jack Show," the former North Carolina guard discussed the various storylines happening in the NBA Finals with his co-host, Pat Wavy, on Friday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been clutch for the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 4 of the NBA finals, and Wavy has been comparing him to the late great Kobe Bryant.

"Shai is going to be great brop, you just know it," Pat Wavy said. "Shai is Kobe." (21:47)

"When I watch Shai, feels like I'm watching Kobe, everything on my hip, fade away, turn around, nobody come up," Wavy added.

However, as his co-host continued arguing for SGA being comparable to Kobe Bryant, Ian Jackson had a blunt response.

"You're the only person in the world who says that," answered Ian Jackson bluntly. "Nobody thinks Shai is Kobe."

Despite this, his co-host kept on arguing that Gilgeous-Alexander should be comparable to the LA Lakers great. They soon changed topics, as Wavy continued to argue his case.

In that podcast episode, Ian Jackson also discussed getting to meet his new teammates at St. John's, as well as how his first practice with his new team went. Jackson transferred from North Carolina last April and has been acclimating to his new school already.

The pair also discussed their inspirations, summer vacation, played a game of "one gotta go," and discussed the intricacies of a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich.

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St. John's coach Rick Pitino is all praises for Ian Jackson after transferring from North Carolina

In getting Ian Jackson, Rick Pitino has gotten what ESPN describes as one of the most explosive guards in the portal. He chose St. John's over USC, with the St. John's head coach being all praises for his newest player:

"We had big shoes to fill at the point [guard position]," Rick Pitino said in a statement. "Kadary [Richmond] and Deivon [Smith] were awesome. The ball is now in the hands of our next great point [guard]. Let's go Ian!"

During his freshman year at North Carolina, Jackson averaged 11.9 points per game but came off the bench. He did start 12 games last season, and he was a better scorer during those games, averaging 15.3 points per game.

However, as the season went on, his role in the team got smaller. When the season ended, he decided to enter the transfer portal, choosing St. John's.