LAS VEGAS — In some ways, America’s entertainment capital is a national stage this week for Memphis White Station’s Joe Jackson, who was seen by coaches from nearly every top 25 program Wednesday at the Adidas Super 64 event.
Yet, as the July evaluation period in college basketball recruiting nears its conclusion, not much is likely to change for the electrifying 5-foot-11 guard regarding his courtship with the University of Memphis.
“I’m just trying to see what’s best for me and see what school has the best offer,” Jackson said.
For months, anyone trying to engage Jackson in a conversation about his recruitment has gotten the same vague answer over and over again. In some ways, it has been a source of frustration for Memphis fans, who have long viewed Jackson as the modern-day heir to homegrown stars like Penny Hardaway and Lorenzen Wright who became local legends by playing for the Tigers.
Memphis coach Josh Pastner understands the urgency of getting Jackson, who is ranked 18th nationally by Rivals.com. After watching a half Wednesday of top Baltimore point guard Josh Selby, who is now on the market after de-committing from Tennessee, Pastner made an early exit Wednesday afternoon so that he could be the first coach at Jackson’s game.
Translation? Even though he’s in no hurry to decide, the Tigers aren’t changing their stance about Jackson as their top target to join Will Barton and Antonio Barton in the 2010 recruiting class.
“That’s all he’s been preaching since he got to Memphis, even when he was an assistant coach, that I’m the No. 1 guy,” Jackson said. “He’s relentless. He doesn’t give up. He wants you to commit right on the spot every time he talks to you. That’s how he is. I’m just speechless because he wants me so bad. He comes harder than anybody.”
While Pastner pushes for his commitment, however, Jackson seems intent on dragging out his recruitment into next spring. He says he’s still considering 10 schools. He says he wants to take his five official visits this fall. When a national reporter Wednesday asked who besides Memphis and Kentucky was on his list, Jackson quickly rattled off Tennessee, Kansas and Connecticut and added Syracuse, Texas, Marquette and Indiana.
Though Memphis fans will certainly have enough patience to wait for Jackson, it’s not quite so easy a spot for Pastner. Putting all of his chips on Jackson would be a high-risk, high-reward move for the Tigers’ new 31-year old coach, who understandably does not want to go into the spring without knowing who his starting point guard will be in 2010-11.
If other top players at that position sign in the fall, Memphis could be left scrambling next April if Jackson decides to go elsewhere.
That scenario is why the Tigers have jumped into Selby’s recruitment and why they could turn up the heat a bit on Canadian Cory Joseph, who is ranked 12th by Rivals.
Jackson, however, said he and Pastner have a clear line of communication about why he wants to wait.
“We’re very good friends,” Jackson said. “We know where each other stand as coach and player. I know he wants me bad and I know Memphis is a good place to play, but I just want to take my time.”
As the days go by, however, the pressure on Jackson to pull the trigger will only grow inside his hometown. With such a high profile already in Memphis thanks to the publicity given to his recruitment over the last year Jackson said he hears “all day” that he needs to play for the Tigers, escaping constant recruitment only when he’s at home with his grandmother Lillie Cox.
Even she, however, seems to be working in concert with Pastner to keep Jackson in Memphis.
“She just wants me to go where I’m happy,” Jackson said regarding his grandmother and guardian, Lillie Cox. “But she talks to Josh a lot, like, a lot. Sometimes when I don’t even know about it, so they’ve got a good relationship.”
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 22
TigerVet writes:
He's just enjoying the attention he's getting so letum. At the end of the day he'll be a Tiger......bank on it!!!
Vol_Jokes writes:
Don't even think about any remote chances the vuls will be in consideration. Who wants to play for an overpaid-unperforming coach.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Make that "under performing coach" to all those who will try and find anything to criticise non vul fans.
I hear Pearl is trying to get some more rumors started about him possibly leaving so he can get yet another large increase in salary. Let's see...2 large increases so far after the end of last seasons disappointment. Wonder what you guys would have done if the vuls actually had some accomplishments last year. He'd probably get a multimillion dollar bonus. If he could get you guys past the sweet 16..whew.. I can't even count that high. He could buy knoxville.
Colliervol writes:
Brownsville, I'm pretty sure he'll be going there. Otherwise, some Memphis fanatic might burn Grandma's house down. I'm sure he'll make them a fine 5'8" point guard.
Colliervol writes:
I had heard he was a bit shorter than 6' but I guess that's pretty common. Michael Beasley was supposed to be 6-9 and he came in at about 6-6. I hope we get Selby back (I guess) but maybe it's a blessing in disguise if some of the things are true that have been floating around about that kid. I guess we'll find out.
As far as the Tigger fans go, I have decided that until they get in the SEC (which will happen around the first of NEVER), they are an even bigger non-entity than they've always been. We have much bigger fish to fry than them and they really have no bearing one way or the other on what we do in any sport. I don't even bother with going to the CA anymore and read their obsessions with UT. They have hit the permanent Land of Ignore as far as I'm concerned and the rest of our fans would do well to follow and let them talk to themselves.
Slystone writes:
But in the end UT is still screwed. No matter how fans spin this Pearl losing Selby is devestating because we all know he can't recruit the Memphis area. Many are wondering why this article would end up on this site. Bottom line is that Pearl should be the one relentlessly pursuing Joe Jackson. In the end if all UT gets is another JUCO point guard Vol fans should call Pearl out.
Slystone writes:
Can someone tell me why Pearl has his girlfriend at the games in Vegas? Does he need her to help him evaluate the players? I mean c'mon get real!
oldsmokey67 writes:
tarheel u are a fool.memphis is done.they are finished.they have lost their hole team.tennessee has everyone back from last year.the only thing tennessee lacked last season was guard play.if chris lofton and jajuan smith were on the team last year.we would have at least been a 2 seed.and we would have owned memphis.they only beat the vols by 2 points.and they had quality guard play.and we would have made it to the elite 8.
oldsmokey67 writes:
what does memphis have coming back.0,nothing. tennessee has their hole team back.a year older and a year wiser.so i will put my money on the vols having a better year than tiger high.memphis will not have near the team they had while calamari was the coach.book it,mark it,and write it down.
Slystone writes:
C-USA may be a weak conference, but the Tigers have provened to be a worthy opponent and have gone further than the Vols in the NCAA Tourney, this is a fact. But to answer your question direct look at the players in the NBA that have played for Memphis. Then look at the players UT has put in the NBA. There is no comparison. It's about getting to the next level. Pearl has not proven he's the kind of coach that can do that. Pastner hasn't either, but then this is his first HC gig. Pearl has been at this for awhile.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Hey CollieVol, yes you have bigger fish to fry.. let's see.. like finally winning an SEC Tournament and getting past the sweet 16 for the first time in your history.
Hayezb writes:
"Don't even think about any remote chances the vuls will be in consideration. Who wants to play for an overpaid-unperforming coach."
Haha..who are you to talk about coaches? Last time I checked, our coach didn't quit on us and move to an SEC rival!! Go Vols!!
Hayezb writes:
"I can't even count that high. He could buy knoxville."
Or he could donate the money to the education system and/or the police force in Memphis to make at least parts of your city respectable.
Slystone writes:
This should be the subject of conversation:
Can someone tell me why Pearl has his girlfriend at the games in Vegas? Does he need her to help him evaluate the players?
Vol_Jokes writes:
Vuls ..on a roll. Two huge pay raises for it's basketball coach when he failed last season and a hire in football that has the entire SEC laughing. Vuls.. take it or leave it. I think i'll leave it. Oh, i've got to go, seems more news coming in about Kiffen opening his mouth again.. let me read what ridiculously embarrassing childish comments he's made now.
Oh wait, seems Pearl is asking for another raise. He says he's expecting to have a good season next year and he wants to be paid in advance for it.
mike#208050 writes:
Ah come on guys, it is too early to have a peeing contest over this so called UT v.Memphis rivalry.
Welcome to the world of "World Wide Wes". That's Calipari's buddy who squirreled the deal for you with Selby. You won't get him back, Nike owns him and you are a mear Adidas school. His first cousin, Will Barton, is already a Memphis commitment and he is the #1 shooting guard in the country. Joe Jackson had better make his mind up quick or Selby will be in Memphis too.
Pashner is recruiting hard. Pearl is vacationing in the holy land and dating his hot woman in Vegas. It doesn't take a rocket scientist over in Oak Ridge to see who is going to end up with a better recruiting class.
Colliervol... what do you care how tall Jackson is? He can dunk on you and just about anybody that gets in his way. He is the real deal and Pearl would drool to get him.
Looks to me that Pearl is still celebrating his big raise. He is a better actor than a coach, but then again you guys are starting to figure that out.
TIGRFAN in knoxville
CleverUserNameVol writes:
You've gotta love the internet. It gives every moron with at least one finger a platform and a voice. Words cannot express how much I hate all of you.
Ironcity writes:
Jackson does!
oldsmokey67 writes:
Memphis is done.finished.They will not go to the NIT.Trust me.I'm teling you guys.Tennessee will thrash memphis this year.That game will be over by halftime.Like i said before name one major factor memphis has coming back.Willie Kemp don't count.He's never lived up to his expectations.I'm glad he went to memphis.Tennessee has everyone back.And Skylar McBee will have a impact shooting the ball this year.Something we sorely lacked last year.And best of all guys like him will play their guts out for the team.I think he will be one of the suprises of this years team.Him or Kenney Hall.
VOLKING writes:
Why buy Knoxville, when he already OWNS Memphis? Come back when your relevant.
JSGJWG writes:
In the spring Memphis will sign one or two of the following top-20 gaurds: Hometown hero Joe Jackson, (Canadian- Cory Joseph or Selby. This will mesh well with the (Committed) Barton brothers from Baltimore. Will Barton is a 5* shootig gaurd (#10 player in the nation) Coach Josh Pastner is relentless and will get what he needs!! UTK needs to keep one eye open on the backstabber from Kentucky where Selby will end up. Who wants to go to a school that can't advance past the 2nd round in the history of it's program?? Not Selby, or J.J. or Joseph. Lots' of luck because with Pearl as your head coach, your going to need it!!
Hounddog writes:
Excuse me Bub, I live in a very respectable part of Memphis and a true VOL. I dislike and have the same disrespect for the pussycats and Conference "What's Left Over" USA the rest of the country has. But, please you do not have to be so harsh on my home town which has plenty of UT alums and fans. I will be more than happy to show you where you are wrong about Memphis. Your comments about "parts of your city respectable" is unfounded and quite rude, and no... I do not live in GTown or Colliervile. Sorry but that pissed me off! Let's play basketball. Hounddog
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