BY MATT AGNOLI
http://rutgers.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=689166
Rutgers is reportedly interested and still in the race for Patrick Jackson, a 2008 wing prospect from Xaverian High in Brooklyn, a school that produced former Pittsburgh dynamo Levance Fields.
Jackson, 17, still hasn’t ruled out over a dozen schools. He said he’ll wait to make a decision right before his senior year at Xaverian, and prefers an “up-and-coming” program.
“I’m definitely still thinking about Rutgers,” said Jackson, a hard-playing, energy guy who’s rated the 18h best prospect in the New York class of 2008, according to one recruiting site.
“(But) I’m wide open. It comes down to the school that fits me (the best).”
Jackson received his first letter of interest from Virginia Tech his freshman season. Rutgers, according to Jackson, contacted him and showed interest the following year.
This summer, Jackson and Louisville-bound Melquan Bolding have teamed together for the famed New York Panthers, an AAU squad coached by NBA star Rafer Alston, and the 6-foot-6 smooth operator opened some eyes with his performance at the Rumble in the Bronx.
Rutgers, according to Jackson, was in attendance and hard to miss. “(The Scarlet Knights) have been watching. You can see that big old red ‘R’,” Jackson laughed.
Rutgers hopes that ‘R’ emblem can attract two more touted commitments for its banner 2008 recruiting class. Most believe Rutgers will target a power forward and/or center. However, Jackson fits the mold of a Quincy Douby type, and may jell into a system like the four-guard offense implemented when Fred Hill was an assistant at Villanova.
“I know that their coaching staff is working really hard to get better. I like the offense that they run,” said Jackson.
Jackson mentioned Rutgers, Seton Hall, Marquette, Providence and West Virginia among Big East schools. He also listed Miami, Clemson and Virginia Tech of the ACC and Iowa State and Colorado of the Big 12. Several Colonial Athletic schools have offered as well.
The mature-sounding Jackson wants his future school to feel like a home away from home. “I’d like to get along with the coach, be on the same page, win and make sure it feels like a family.” His father is guiding him through the process but “He leaves it up to me, wherever I feel comfortable. It doesn’t matter.”
Jackson has local legend in his blood. His uncle Tony Jackson was an All-American at St. John’s in the late 1950s, and later played for the New York Knicks, before retiring in the ABA.
Not surprisingly, Jackson has visited St. John’s “numerous times” and recently took an unofficial visit to West Virginia “about two weekends ago.”
It’s still too early to name any favorites with certainty, so Jackson said he plans to make more visits, including Rutgers, as the AAU season progresses. He has not listed one school as a cut above the rest– yet.
“Rutgers and Providence are coming up real quick, probably at the end of August,” said Jackson.
This weekend Jackson will participate in the Eastern Invitational in Ewing, New Jersey, followed by a cross-country trip to the Main Event in Las Vegas at the end of summer.
“I just want to wait my options out,” he said on Monday night. “I don’t want to (commit to a school) too fast.”
Jackson separates his college offers at home into two boxes: the ones he reads, and the ones he doesn’t.
Rutgers is still in the good box.
Notes:
Last season, Xaxerian High lost to Rice in the CHSAA semifinals last season, 61-56.
Jackson has faced Sylven Landesberg, a Rutgers target and Holy Cross standout, many times in CHSAA play. “(That matchup against Sylven) always draws a crowd.”
Jackson on local kids leaving the area for school:
“I notice it a lot. Kids go away, I think, to get away from all the pressure. They don’t want to come home if their team lost, or if they missed a big shot at the end of a game. It’s how (a player) handles the situation (away from home). It also depends on different schools, how they handle the situation.”
Rutgers is reportedly interested and still in the race for Patrick Jackson, a 2008 wing prospect from Xaverian High in Brooklyn, a school that produced former Pittsburgh dynamo Levance Fields.
Jackson, 17, still hasn’t ruled out over a dozen schools. He said he’ll wait to make a decision right before his senior year at Xaverian, and prefers an “up-and-coming” program.
“I’m definitely still thinking about Rutgers,” said Jackson, a hard-playing, energy guy who’s rated the 18h best prospect in the New York class of 2008, according to one recruiting site.
“(But) I’m wide open. It comes down to the school that fits me (the best).”
Jackson received his first letter of interest from Virginia Tech his freshman season. Rutgers, according to Jackson, contacted him and showed interest the following year.
This summer, Jackson and Louisville-bound Melquan Bolding have teamed together for the famed New York Panthers, an AAU squad coached by NBA star Rafer Alston, and the 6-foot-6 smooth operator opened some eyes with his performance at the Rumble in the Bronx.
Rutgers, according to Jackson, was in attendance and hard to miss. “(The Scarlet Knights) have been watching. You can see that big old red ‘R’,” Jackson laughed.
Rutgers hopes that ‘R’ emblem can attract two more touted commitments for its banner 2008 recruiting class. Most believe Rutgers will target a power forward and/or center. However, Jackson fits the mold of a Quincy Douby type, and may jell into a system like the four-guard offense implemented when Fred Hill was an assistant at Villanova.
“I know that their coaching staff is working really hard to get better. I like the offense that they run,” said Jackson.
Jackson mentioned Rutgers, Seton Hall, Marquette, Providence and West Virginia among Big East schools. He also listed Miami, Clemson and Virginia Tech of the ACC and Iowa State and Colorado of the Big 12. Several Colonial Athletic schools have offered as well.
The mature-sounding Jackson wants his future school to feel like a home away from home. “I’d like to get along with the coach, be on the same page, win and make sure it feels like a family.” His father is guiding him through the process but “He leaves it up to me, wherever I feel comfortable. It doesn’t matter.”
Jackson has local legend in his blood. His uncle Tony Jackson was an All-American at St. John’s in the late 1950s, and later played for the New York Knicks, before retiring in the ABA.
Not surprisingly, Jackson has visited St. John’s “numerous times” and recently took an unofficial visit to West Virginia “about two weekends ago.”
It’s still too early to name any favorites with certainty, so Jackson said he plans to make more visits, including Rutgers, as the AAU season progresses. He has not listed one school as a cut above the rest– yet.
“Rutgers and Providence are coming up real quick, probably at the end of August,” said Jackson.
This weekend Jackson will participate in the Eastern Invitational in Ewing, New Jersey, followed by a cross-country trip to the Main Event in Las Vegas at the end of summer.
“I just want to wait my options out,” he said on Monday night. “I don’t want to (commit to a school) too fast.”
Jackson separates his college offers at home into two boxes: the ones he reads, and the ones he doesn’t.
Rutgers is still in the good box.
Notes:
Last season, Xaxerian High lost to Rice in the CHSAA semifinals last season, 61-56.
Jackson has faced Sylven Landesberg, a Rutgers target and Holy Cross standout, many times in CHSAA play. “(That matchup against Sylven) always draws a crowd.”
Jackson on local kids leaving the area for school:
“I notice it a lot. Kids go away, I think, to get away from all the pressure. They don’t want to come home if their team lost, or if they missed a big shot at the end of a game. It’s how (a player) handles the situation (away from home). It also depends on different schools, how they handle the situation.”
No comments:
Post a Comment