Majors Anxious for Texas SGs Test Score
Lance Jackson, a high-flying 6-foot-3, 190-pound swingman, has always had the
talent to qualify as a major college prospect. But there's one piece left to
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finish out the puzzle: a qualifying SAT score. It's something he hopes to have
that soon.
"Lance took the SAT for the second time about two weeks ago," said Wayne Lewis,
Jackson's summer coach with the Fort Worth MLK Mash. "He is waiting for the
results."
Schools such as Iowa State, Wyoming, and Pittsburgh are also anxiously awaiting
the results as well. All have offered scholarships to Jackson, and would be
more than happy to add him to their backcourt for 2003-04.
The best way to describe Jackson's game is as a power guard. Blessed with an
incredibly mature body ("He looks like he's 30 years old, down to the facial
hair," said Lewis), Jackson can overpower players inside with his strength,
either posting up or powering to the hole, finishing plays off with his 40-plus
inch vertical leap. Some of Jackson's dunks are legendary in the DFW
Metroplex. While his perimeter shot has always seemed to be the one small
chink in his armor, it's something he has definitely improved on.
"He was stroking the ball much better this year," said Lewis. "But he did
start falling in love with the three a little much early on. Once he stopped
trying to be (Indiana Pacers star) Reggie Miller and started playing like
(Dallas Mavericks star) Michael Finley, taking the ball to the basket and then
shooting the fallaway, it really picked his game up."
His play also picked up Dunbar, as the Flying Wildcats not only helped head
coach Robert Hughes become the all-time winningest high school coach in
history, but also ran their way on to a Texas 4A State Championship and a
national USA Today Top Ten ranking. Jackson, who was a first team All-State
selection, finished the season with averages of 23.7 points and 4.5 rebounds.
If Jackson is able to qualify, he will be a fantastic late pickup for someone.
If he not able to qualify, he will look at going the junior college route,
according to Lewis, with programs such as South Plains, San Jacinto, and
Arkansas-Fort Smith (formerly Westark) in the mix.
Jed Tai is a senior writer at Hoopville.com.