City of Basketball Love

Danny Holdsman (@DHoldsman)
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At 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, and with a potent low post offensive game, Rick Jackson is a tough defensive task for most teams.

In Boeheim’s Army’s first two games at The Basketball Tournament, Basketball City and the North Broad Street Bullies learned that lesson the hard way -- just as many teams in many different leagues have throughout Jackson’s basketball career.

Like a few of his other Boeheim’s Army teammates, Jackson, a 2011 ‘Cuse graduate, used his strong frame to his team’s advantage, adding 10 points and seven boards to his team’s thrilling 86-82 victory over the Temple alumni squad Sunday afternoon.

His size, as well as that of 6-foot-9 Hakim Warrick, 6-foot-11 Baye Moussa Keita, and 6-foot-11 Darryl Watkins combined for 36 points and 25 rebounds, making a critical impact in a win-or-go-home battle that could have gone either way.

“I think we got out to a good start,” Jackson said. “Towards the middle we got caught up knowing we were better than them, and we basically were being lazy and not moving more in the zone. They hit some shots, and we let them hang around. We almost lost. We regrouped, took the lead, and everybody is happy right now.”

The formidable power forward played his high school ball at local powerhouse Neumann-Goretti where he won two PCL titles and was named first team all-city his junior and senior years. Jackson and co-star Scoop Jardine both committed to Syracuse and helped take their team to consecutive Sweet 16s and a Big East Championship.

Jackson posted an impressive 13.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in his senior year. He was named Big East Defensive Player of the year and earned a spot on the All Big East Second Team.

Since his college days, Jackson has bounced around Europe playing for various clubs. This past season Jackson was a member of Fos Ouest Provence in France’s second division and  averaged 9.0 ppg and 4.9 rpg.

The big man could not resist the opportunity to play in Philly with his former teammates and even drove 27 hours to be able to do it.

“It’s great,” Jackson said. “It’s always good to come home and see people that you haven’t seen in years and be able to put on a show for the people that you knew growing up and still know.”

If Boeheim’s Army wins the $2 million prize, the voyage from Houston to Philly will surely have been worth it.

While he’s back in his hometown, Jackson may pay a visit to the guys at Neumann-Goretti. Coach Arrigale and the Saints have certainly not seen any decrease in success since Jackson’s departure.

“They’re doing great. We’ve had guys go Division I every year. That’s a big accomplishment to start a program and remain good over the years,” Jackson commented.

Perhaps there is a little extra incentive for him to go. Syracuse has arisen as a possible destination for highly-touted Saints’ point guard Quade Green. The rising senior is widely considered to be one of the best guards in the nation and already has offers from perennial title contenders like Duke, Kansas, and Kentucky.

“I hope he goes [to Syracuse],” Jackson said. “I told him it was the best years of my life, so hopefully he makes that move.”

Green and other Saints will get to see Jackson battle the Untouchables (former University of Pittsburgh players) in the Round of 16 Thursday night at 7 on ESPN2.