Big Ten school lands Jackson
While some players are waiting until the fall and official visits to make a decision, Rivals150 guard Lewis Jackson took an unofficial visit to a Big Ten school and found the place he'd call home for the next four years.
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound point guard from Decatur (Ill.) Eisenhower verbally committed to Purdue on Thursday.
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"They've been recruiting me for a long time and I like everything about their program," Jackson said. "They have a good, honest staff and they are bringing in good players. I think they are building something special there. Coach (Matt) Painter said he needs me to glue it all together."
Jackson said his options came down to Bradley and Purdue in the end. He added that the visit was necessary because it allowed his mother to see the campus and meet the administrators at Purdue.
"She liked everything there," Jackson said. "We met the athletic director and people on the campus. That was the thing she needed to see. It really feels like the right situation."
Jackson said he liked the opportunity to come in and play with the current freshmen class.
"They are expecting big things with that '07 class. Those guys are good players," Jackson said. "Coach said they are building a program that will compete for a National Championship and that I'm a guy that can run the point and be a pass first player.
"They wanted a true point guard and not someone that needs to score the ball every time down. I can go there and distribute the ball. Overall, it's a great situation for me."
Purdue is also in the mix with Jackson's AAU teammate Tyler Zeller, who has the Boilermakers in his final four. Toledo, Ohio shooting guard Ryne Smith verbally committed to Purdue last week.