Jacksons Dream: Playing At Kansas

Darnell Jackson had wonderful visions a while ago that someday he would be playing basketball at traditionally rich Kansas. “When I was a freshman (high school) I had a dream about playing basketball at Kansas,” said Jackson, who is competing this week with Athletes First of Oklahoma at the Super Showcase in Orlando, Florida. “It’s a great place to play college basketball.”

Jackson, who is listed at 6-foot-8 and 230-pounds in the official rosters here at the Showcase, is a wide-frame athlete who is very agile in opening up spaces inside the paint for skillful moves. “That’s what I have been working on this summer,” Jackson said. “I want to be able to handle the ball better in the low post so I can make better moves.”

Jackson made several nice moves tonight against a very talented Tennessee Travelers’ AAU program. He scored 15 first-half points to help his team grab a 73-60 victory in the first day of pool play. Jackson finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.

“I committed to Kansas because I really liked Bill Self when he was at Illinois,” Jackson said. “He’s a great coach. And he’s also coaching a great school. So the combination of great coaching at a great school helped me make my decision in favor of Kansas.”

Jackson has some important summer goals too. “I want to be able to rebound better,” he said. “I think I want to be able to rebound better and score off the rebounds. This is what I want to do before I get to Kansas.”

Darnell will be playing basketball for Self at Kansas in 2004-2005. He is likely going to be a big part and an important feature in Self’s style and offense when he comes aboard. Jackson has the ability to destroy defenders in the low post with his quick foot movement and his soft hands.

"I want to work on my jumpshot too,” Jackson said. “This would help my game too if I am able to be more consistent