Wait no more. Joe Jackson is shoeless no longer. The Memphis program was the right fit. To finish off a week of wild speculation, White Station High School 2010 point guard Joe Jackson has made his verbal commitment to the University of Memphis. At a public “press conference” this evening at the Larry O Finch Center on campus at the University of Memphis, Jackson announced his intent to attend the University of Memphis over Tennessee and Kansas. The press conference was originally planned to take place at 6:30pm, but plans changed early this afternoon and Jackson pulled the trigger at 5:30pm across the street from the Finch Center.
With current players like Wesley Witherspoon and Preston Laird looking on along with fifty or so friends, family members and Tigers fans, Jackson put on his Memphis hat and put all of the speculation [/sarcasm] to rest.
Speaking with reporters in the street, Jackson said, “I am very excited. I am ready to get on campus now. I have been knowing this since my ninth grade year. I have been holding back but now I am ready.”
The overall #21-ESPN-rated prospect in the 2010 class, Jackson is the first consensus top-25-rated prospect out of the city of Memphis to choose the Tigers since Penny Hardaway.
After quickly becoming a familiar face on the basketball scene, Memphis coach Josh Pastner made it a point to emphasize an “inside-out” recruiting philosophy. Jackson, who is the first local product to pledge to the Tigers since current Tiger Pierre Henderson-Niles, is evidence to Pastner’s hard work in the Tigers’ backyard.
April 9th, the first day of the April contact period for NCAA Division 1 coaches, marked Pastner’s first official recruiting duties as Memphis’ head coach. A mere five months later, Jackson gives the Tigers their second potential McDonald’s All-American for the 2010 recruiting class. Memphis Roar had a chance to catch up with ESPN Scouts Inc. National Director of Recruiting Paul Biancardi today, who made it clear that this commitment is a big statement for head coach Josh Pastner and the Memphis Tigers.
“I think that Josh has made his mark as a head coach with these two commitments (Jackson and Will Barton),” explained Biancardi. “Some people may be surprised by what he’s been able to do, but not those in the business. We knew it was only a matter of time.”
According to ESPN, Jackson is “one of those special players that comes along once in a lifetime. Jackson is speed personified with the ball; he can explode off one foot and finish in your grill or drop the nice dish to a cutting big man. Jackson has a unique ability of wasting little to no motion. Every move has its place and every action has a specific destination. Dubbed “The Real Thing”, Jackson can knock down the outside shot and is bringing back the mid-range jumper.”
In addition to analyzing his skill-set, Biancardi described some of the local implications for a signing like this.
“I think it gives the fans and city more reason to love the University of Memphis, to get out and go to the games and to really show their support,” Biancardi said. ”It’s a celebration for the city of Memphis for a local player of Joe’s capabilities to commit to the local school.”
Jackson gives Memphis its second point guard prospect for the 2010 class to go alongside Antonio Barton. With Willie Kemp graduating after this season, the Tigers are in dire need a playmaking ball-handler like Jackson to slide into the point guard position.
On Jackson and Antonio Barton’s future relationship on the floor, Biancardi said, “Those two will be able to play well together because they are serious athletes and can score the ball. Two point guards can definitely be on the floor at the same time. They need remember to check their egos at the door and they have to play for the good of the team. You can do wonderful things when you play for the good of the team.”
Not only does Jackson’s commitment have implications for the Tigers on the court, but it signifies a change of guard in the city of Memphis, where the best prospects in the city stay in the city for college. Pastner and his staff have essentially spent the last five months building a wall around the city of Memphis.
“The fan-base, they support the players tremendously,” said Jackson. “ They’ll stick with you through your ups and downs. It’s very exciting to have all the fans behind you.”
With city of Memphis prospects like Adonis Thomas, Andre Hollins, Ced McAfee, Nino Johnson and Jarnell Stokes coming up in the next few classes, it is an extremely significant time for the University of Memphis basketball program and its fans. Based on conversations with high school, AAU and college coaches, most feel that it is possible to win a NCAA National Championship with only players from the city of Memphis.
Jackson said after his announcement that he wants to help take part in the recruitment process.
“I went ahead and did it so I could help get some better players,” responded Jackson when asked why he decided to go ahead with the early commitment.
There is certainly a buzz around the potential of the 2010-2011 squad, but there is a lot that needs to happen between now and then. Will Barton, Antonio Barton and Joe Jackson must all three sign their letters of intent. Prior to Martin Ngaloro’s injury and current Memphis big man Angel Garcia going down with an ACL tear yesterday, it was likely that the 2010 recruiting class was going to be six deep. There is a potential to have a class that consists of seven pieces, which means that there are still four remaining slots to be filled. Biancardi agrees that the potential is exciting, but warns that there is a long road ahead.
“Overall, I think this brings a lot of excitement but it also brings a lot of inexperience,” said Biancardi. “These guys will need to develop their skills through individual workouts. The key, though, is that Coach Pastner is so good at that. He has been doing that for practically his whole life. It’s really important to recruit great players, but it’s equally important to develop their skills, and I think Pastner can do that.”
After watching Jackson play numerous times at the River City Showdown Tournament this summer, staff writer and scout Clark Merriam provided this description of Jackson:
“One of the most talented players in the tournament, Jackson has excellent quickness, can get to the hole and score, and can run his offense efficiently. One thing that Jackson has worked on and displayed at the River City Showdown was his jump-shot. Knocking down multiple pull-up jumpers and hitting outside shots, Jackson has become a defender’s nightmare.”
Watch Memphis Roar’s footage of Joe Jackson from the River City Showdown below:
Here are some of Memphis Roar’s original photos of Joe Jackson:
See all articles by Brooks Hansen ( 259 ).
Memphis Roar is an unofficial source of news and information and is not associated with the University of Memphis in any fashion.
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