Advertisement

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Jackson not worried about pros

By Gary Bedore

Darnell Jackson shows off his game face. Jackson enters his senior year unfettered by the many personal problems that bothered him the last couple of years and unconcerned about his pro prospects.

Photo by Nick Krug

Darnell Jackson shows off his game face. Jackson enters his senior year unfettered by the many personal problems that bothered him the last couple of years and unconcerned about his pro prospects.

Advertisement

Aldrich season's likely star

6'11" freshman Cole Aldrich is eager for the Jayhawk basketball season to start. The Jayhawks open the exhibition season on November 1 against Pittsburg State.

Darnell Jackson stood out in a crowd of basketball players at last week's Big 12 Conference Media Day in Kansas City, Mo.

Of the two dozen athletes on hand, Kansas University's Jackson was the only one proudly wearing his school's letter jacket - red with a huge 'K' on the front.

"School is great. I'm glad I'm here. I love this place," the 6-foot-8, 250-pound Jackson said, referring to KU, not the Marriott Country Club Plaza Hotel.

The native Oklahoman, who played a key reserve role for last year's 33-5 Jayhawks, served as a breath of fresh air, declaring he has not once daydreamed of playing in the NBA or overseas following his days on campus.

Instead, he said he has been totally focused on the job at hand - hoops and books.

"Since I've been here, I've never thought about saying I'll go to the NBA or 'cross seas' because I won't know until the end of the year if they think I'm good enough to play on a team and help them try to win a title," Jackson said.

"If I'm not going to play, I'm going to teach," the African-American studies major said. "I will try to work at a foundation or Boys and Girls Club, go around the nation and talk to young kids. Or I'll work for a Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, something like that. That's going to be my job."

Or he might enter the field of education.

"I always thought about being a nurse, but I wouldn't have enough time to do that," Jackson said. "I decided to do the same thing my coach did at Northwest Classen (in Oklahoma City). He was an African-American studies teacher, taught us about history and stuff. I'd like to do that. I definitely want to do something where I can help others."

Jackson during this young preseason already has tried to help others.

He filmed a video - played at Late Night in the Phog - asking fellow students and other fans not to drink and drive.

His grandmother died following complications from a car crash involving a drunk driver. His mom was seriously injured in that same wreck in Las Vegas.

"I care a lot about everybody," Jackson said. "I won't put anybody behind me. I always push somebody in front of me."

He takes that same supportive attitude onto the court.

If he's trying to beat out Sasha Kaun for a starting spot in the 2007-08 KU lineup, he's not saying so publicly.

"It's no battle," said Jackson, who averaged 5.5 points and 5.1 boards last season, coming off the bench in 35 games while starting three. "Like I've been saying since I got here, I don't worry about starting or any minutes.

"The only thing I care about is the coaches and my teammates and winning games, doing my job and not doing what I am not supposed to do."

Though he believes he has improved his shooting range, Jackson, who put up four outside jumpers at Late Night in the Phog scrimmage, hitting one, said he will not be launching from deep this season.

"I was doing that for fun, just have fun with it," Jackson said. "I'm not going to be doing that a lot in the season. I can do a pick and pop, but that's not my job. My job is to rebound and play defense, get on the floor, try to get the loose ball, make screens and get the guards the ball."

Self said he will not complain if Jackson fires away from the free-throw line extended.

"He's a good shooter, our best big-man shooter," Self said Monday. "He will not have the green light from three, but we encourage him to be a threat from the perimeter.

"He can do a lot of things to help us win games. He's our best rebounder per minute. I look at our three big guys (Darrell Arthur, Kaun, Jackson) and see three starters, to be honest. Last year at the end of the season, Darnell was as consistent a performer inside as anybody we had."

Self sees a different Jackson for his final go-round.

"For the first time since he's been here, he's had a free mind," Self said of the player who has made numerous trips home the past couple of years to support his mom, who has had several surgeries. "It's amazing he's done as well as he has. He feels great responsibility for everything that's gone on in his family. But right now he's not as worried about as much stuff. There's not as much stuff on his plate as before."

More like this

Comments

KoolKeithFreeze (anonymous) says...

I've got a total man-crush on Darnell Jackson. One of my favorite Jayhawks of all time. What a great kid. I hope he has an awesome year...

October 23, 2007 at 4:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says...

Kid had a HUGE amount of issues on his plate. He really has handled things well and I applaud him greatly.
He comes across as a humble and fantastic guy.

October 23, 2007 at 5:04 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

APDJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Man, I rolled out of bed this morning and the first thing I thought to do was log on to this website, read the articles and make a pathetic post. What's wrong with you tools?

October 23, 2007 at 5:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mbowers (anonymous) says...

APD, I too suffer from the same affliction...Kansas basketball baby! Jackson you go ahead and make this your dream year. Rock Chalk.

October 23, 2007 at 6:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

I have a huge amount of respect for Darnell Jackson. He had a lot of things happening his first couple years that were both unfortunate and completely beyond his control. I'm glad to hear that things are going better for him. He's the type of guy you have to have to make a team stick together through some adversity on the court/ field because he knows how to handle real adversity. A ten point deficit means nothing to him because he's dealt with real life issues.

Mark my words - if KU is to win the national title, DJack and RussRob will be the catalysts along the way, not because they are our best players, but because when things get tough, they will lead us through.

October 23, 2007 at 8:38 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LAJayhawk5 (anonymous) says...

Another day, another SUCK IT!!!!!!!!!!!! for APD!

You're the tool, clown.

October 23, 2007 at 9:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

digitalkookie (anonymous) says...

LA...welcome back

my sentiments exactly!!!! take a hike APD...

October 23, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

klong (anonymous) says...

Darnell has really impressed me. When he first got here, I was thinking that he was a waste of a recruit. He has gotten better and better every year and I think he will beat out Kaun for the starting spot. He is more powerful and a better shooter.

October 23, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bdsnook (anonymous) says...

Considering all he has been through, it is wonderful to see him excelling the way he is, both on and off the court.

October 23, 2007 at 9:36 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Topside (anonymous) says...

keithmiles05- Ditto, man. Its too bad CJ Giles and JR Giddens couldn't look to this young man as a great example of a young man doing all the right things and handling his responsibility. He could have blamed the world and the coaches for what happened to his family and his playing time, respectively. But he hasn't I believe I also have a new man crush on Mr. Jackson.

October 23, 2007 at 9:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

I still think there's little point to the "who's going to start" discussion, because it is completely irrelevant. They're both going to play, probably close to equal time. They are pretty interchangable even though they have different strengths, and when you combine their numbers, they make a very solid role-player. With these two guys, it's like they have a strong big man who can beat guys up... and most importantly, he's allowed 10 fouls!

I don't know if I'd call it a huge "man-crush", but yeah, he's among my favorites.

We're so impatient with young players around here... I don't get it. The thing is, with some of these prep-schools.. basketball farms, whatever you want to call them... a lot of incoming freshmen have a lot more experience than they used to. But those that don't still have a lot of learning to do.

DJackson and Sasha are two that are in that boat. Together they're going to have their best season. There should be major progression coming from Collins and Arthur. Mario may not look much more spectacular, but he should make less mistakes, and Russell is well... himself. The great thing about this season is that early, the players will have to learn to survive without Brandon a little bit more than they would if he was coming in 100%. I couldn't be more excited about this season. I say that every year, but I'd say I have it worse this season.

And the thing about not having Julian... now we should have a more consistent mix. I mean, at least you have a better idea of what you're going to get. Not some "beast mode" one minute, and wild, ill-advised decision maker the next.

October 23, 2007 at 10:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawker77 (anonymous) says...

Remember four years ago Bill Self had a recruiting battle between Kalen Grimes and Darnell Jackson. Kalen wanted to come to KU. Soooo glad to have you Darnell. Thanks for all your hard work.

Pretty interesting he mentioned wanting to be a nurse.

October 23, 2007 at 10:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

I am going to miss the "beast mode" in the two or three games a year it appeared :)

I don't know if a team could have a much better role model than Darnell Jackson. What an incredible human being.

October 23, 2007 at 10:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

DSommersby (anonymous) says...

Hope Darnell has a great senior season.

You could tell last year he understood his role. I think it sunk in for him the most after the home CU game where Self said our "bigs" were playing soft and needed to go execute their roles much better. From the point on you could see DJ was going after every rebound with two strong hands and playing tough defense. This gave the team a huge lift when he was doing this. If he does this he will get some serious minutes as he was cleaning the glass with authority. He can also accumulate a lot of easy garbage area points when he is playing this style.

Darnell played this role solidly down the stretch last year. He was focused. He was getting boards, getting loose balls and playing within himself playing this role. Remember the big save of the loose ball against UT, and the wicked stuff on Augustin in the Big 12 championship game?

Keep playing your role Darnell!

October 23, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

afilmer (anonymous) says...

it is nice to see DJ - who has had some issues, man up off the court. love his attitude, and if i'm not mistaken, he was in beast mode in last year's tourney. keep up big guy.

October 23, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

DSommersby,

I like the reference to the big block in the Big XII title game. That was probably the second biggest play of the game (behind Mario's three), but so few people recognized or remembered it.

I don't know if he will, but I think DJack could play in the NBA in the future in a Udonis Haslem type role. For right now though, he's a key cog on what should be a great season of KU hoops! Go DJack! Go KU!

October 23, 2007 at 10:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BPSkelly (anonymous) says...

Darnell is perfect for this team.

He's one of the few players who wont care that he isnt scoring. And in doing so, he'll get his putbacks and such and end up with some points.

He's been the toughest player on this team since he's been here.

He'll be missed when he's gone.

Lets hope some of these new recruits can fill the void.

October 23, 2007 at 1:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kuguy08 (anonymous) says...

When C.J. and Darnell came to campus it was clear that C.J. was much more talented but Darnell is such a better teammate and a much harder worker. We have enough talent on this team, I wish we had more guy like Darnell.
He will go down as one of my alltime favorites

October 23, 2007 at 2:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Q Thomas just committed.

I think he will fill in for DJack beautifully.

October 23, 2007 at 2:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayViking (anonymous) says...

Gotta love Darnell.

Nobody puts more heart on the floor than this kid.

October 23, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

flipborder02 (anonymous) says...

GOD APD im sick of you making stupid comments for no reason you should never post anything on this website ever again.

October 23, 2007 at 4:58 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

scootja32 (anonymous) says...

I tell you what. When it comes to work ethic and heart, I'm putting Jackson up there with Christian Moody. He's like Christian Moody with more body, and a little more skill.

Before last year if you had told me that Jackson would become what I believe he will be this year (leader), i probably would have slapped you, but I think this guy has turned into my favorite player on the whole team. He is a Jayhawk.

October 23, 2007 at 5:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

rockchalkjayhawk4ku11 (anonymous) says...

I love D Jackson!! A great player and a great guy.

October 23, 2007 at 5:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

I've liked DJ's game since I first saw him play for KU. But as I've gradually gotten to know more and more about the type of person he is, I've seen that he is so much more than what he does on the court. With Darnell, one word keeps coming to mind over and over again: Class.

October 23, 2007 at 6:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Gotta love the pic, by the way. What a great thing to have on the home page!

October 23, 2007 at 6:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ralsterKUMed95 (anonymous) says...

Knowing all we do about the person Darnell is, I will add this: Just as in 05, it seems the one highlight that sums up the year was Julian 'showing' his jersey and looking sideways as he ran down the court, in '06, for me the highlight that sticks out the most was that tomahawk dunk off a rebound that Darnell did (vs OSU?), and backing away doing the gorilla-robot chest thump! I dont know if he rehearsed it or if it just came out spontaneously, but I will always have that image, and it typifies the man: solid!

October 24, 2007 at 2:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Brickwall1 (anonymous) says...

The way the article is listed as a football article (by having a little picture of a football next to it) I thought that maybe DJ is joining the football team after his basketball eligibility runs out.

October 24, 2007 at 10:36 a.m. ( | suggest removal )