City of Basketball Love

Rich Flanagan (@richflanagan33)

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It was a weekend where Shareef Jackson was putting the finishing touches on one chapter of his basketball memoir and inscribing the first few lines of the next.

Playing with Philly Pride 17U at the Boys Under Armour Association (UAA) Finals in Chicago, Jackson was enjoying the final AAU live period of his high school career and looking for one last run before turning his attention to his future. He had cut his list of potential programs to Yale, Princeton, Loyola Maryland, Lafayette, Bucknell, and San Diego on July 14 and on a weekend where he expected the focus to be solely on his present basketball endeavor, his future came into perspective looking out across the court.

“We had one last game in Chicago for the Under Armour circuit,” Jackson said. “I realized that Lafayette’s entire coaching staff was there.”

Head coach Mike McGarvey along with assistants Cameron Ayers, Nikolai Arnold and Sean O’Brien were courtside as Jackson showcased much of what he can bring to a collegiate program with his array of post moves, strong rebounding ability and lockdown defense at multiple positions. It was at this moment that Jackson recounted as the deciding factor in his decision to commit to the Leopards program and solidified a career that has seen him blossom into one of southeastern Pa.'s premier players for three seasons.

Three schools were in play heading into that final AAU live period and Lafayette surpassed both by the sight of a full coaching staff watching someone who should be a linchpin on the roster for years to come.

“By that point, the remaining schools were Princeton, Lafayette and Bucknell who were paying me any attention,” Jackson said. “Lafayette and Bucknell wanted me but when it came down to it, Lafayette gave me the vibe that it cared more about my future.”

Jackson officially announced his commitment to Lafayette on Monday. The 6-foot-8 forward will travel approximately an hour and a half northeast to his new home upon his graduation from Roman Catholic, where his father Marc starred and won a pair of Philadelphia Catholic League titles before heading down N. Broad Street to play for the late John Chaney at Temple followed by seven seasons in the NBA, including two with the 76ers.

While becoming a legacy at Temple wasn’t part of his plan, Jackson mentioned “Princeton was the main school I was originally looking at and they paid attention, but I felt overall with Lafayette and seeing all the coaches there, I realized they want me on the team and they’re going to help me stay on the team.”

In this new age of college basketball with the transfer portal and immediate eligibility for transfers, Jackson wanted to go somewhere he can develop and learn long-term and Lafayette certainly presents that opportunity.

“A lot of coaches want the best freshmen on their team but may not help them out as much as they should,” Jackson said. “Lafayette is going to help me out and give me a great future. That was the best option and that’s why I chose to go with it.”

Lafayette first reached out to him following the EYBL season after his sophomore year when he was still playing with NJ Scholars, a program he left in May to join Philly Pride for his final run. O’Brien initiated the conversation and formally offered Jackson shortly afterward. Before long, it was McGarvey leading the charge in his recruitment with calls and texts followed by appearances at Roman Catholic games. “Coach McGarvey contacted me more and more. That was a big thing having the head coach contact me and made me truly consider that this team really wants me,” according to Jackson.

He took an unofficial visit to Lafayette earlier this summer along with trips to Bucknell and Princeton and plans to take an official visit in September when classes resume to get a full view of campus life. With Jackson’s career résumé, it’s no wonder Lafayette yearned for him to come aboard.

Jackson had lofty expectations for himself starting from day one at the intersection at Broad & Vine, winning two Philadelphia Catholic League titles of his own as well as a PIAA Class 6A title as a starting freshman. His name and size were enough to attract attention but his play over the last three seasons cemented his legacy. As a freshman, he played alongside Daniel Skillings Jr. (Cincinnati), Khalil Farmer (Hofstra) and Xzayvier Brown (St. Joe’s) then had an expanded role as a sophomore helping the Cahillites secure the league title and reach the state final.

He is coming off the best season of his career, where he averaged 17.2 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.0 apg & 1.4 bpg while shooting 58.2% from the field on his way to First Team All-Catholic and Pa. All-State 6A First Team. While he missed some time with a sprained ankle, he returned for the postseason and put together the best two-game stretch of his career at the Palestra with 20 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks against Father Judge in the semifinals then 16 points, including the game-tying basket to force overtime, in the title game against Archbishop Ryan. His play never wavered, particularly in big games, and he never shied away from the spotlight.

Lafayette loves what he brings to the table and feels Jackson has even more to give to reach his potential.

“Coach McGarvey imagined me as a good player, but he also sees me as a project,” Jackson said. “From what we talked about, he loves the way I play, especially on defense and how I facilitate on the court. He also said I can get better with my shooting and aggressiveness.”

“He felt it could really benefit me and the team because last year they didn’t lack aggressiveness but had a lot of issues getting down the court and to the rim. That’s how I can benefit them. They’re trying to help me out with my shooting as well as these other aspects of my game to become a more complete player.”

For a player who plans to major in physics, with a focus in quantum physics, it’s no wonder Jackson is effective in so many facets of the game. While he doesn’t blow the opposition away with raw athleticism, he’s fundamentally sound with the ability to finish around the rim with either hand and uses his body to get into good position to convert off the glass. He runs the floor extremely well and outruns opposing bigs down the floor for easy baskets. He has a knack for grabbing the ball off the backboard and altering shots when players enter the paint. After only attempting 11 three-pointers in his first two seasons, Jackson made nine as a junior, hitting two against the Raiders in the league title and exhibiting increased confidence instilled in him from his father.

“This summer, I have been really focused on trying to tear down my shot and build it back up,” Jackson said. “The main issue on why I wasn’t hitting a lot of shots or not getting the right movements was due to bad habits. I had bad form and movement and between now and the beginning of the season my goal is to get the basics back to a standard I can achieve.”

Even with his early commitment, Jackson looks to be the cornerstone of Lafayette’s 2025 class and the plan is for him to transition into a “stretch four” when he arrives on campus. The Leopards are looking forward to Jackson’s introduction to the program next summer and McGarvey is hoping he can provide much of what he already has during his time at Roman Catholic.

Lafayette is coming off an 11-21 (10-8 Patriot League) record in McGarvey’s first full season at the helm and returns three starters, including 7-foot forward Justin Vander Baan and Penn Charter alum Mark Butler who started all 32 games as a true freshman. Fellow local products Joshua Wyche (Cristo Rey) and Andrew Phillips (Malvern Prep) could see increased playing time this season, but things bode well for Jackson to make an immediate impact at the outset of his tenure in Easton.

His future is secure and with a full season to officially reach 1,000 career points and potentially win a third Philadelphia Catholic League crown, Jackson is basking in his decision to stay close to home and play at the next level, just like his dad.

“I feel proud of myself because this is that moment that everyone says you have to try and reach,” Jackson said. “I’m happy to be committed and the future's looking good, but I also know that the future isn’t written yet. I still have more things I have to do, especially when I get to Lafayette, and have to get better in my final year then the next level. I’m really happy about what I’ve achieved but also focused and prepared about what I have to do for my future.”