White Station's Jackson announces tonight

MEMPHIS - University of Memphis basketball fans have been literally waiting years for the words White Station star Joe Jackson is about to say tonight.

The 5-11 point guard posted on his Facebook page early Friday morning that he would announce his college decision at 6:30 p.m. outside the Finch Center practice facility on the U of M campus. Jackson has been dropping hints on Facebook for several days that he would pick the Tigers over Tennessee and Kansas, and it appears he is ready to make it official after having an in-home visit with Memphis coach Josh Pastner on Wednesday.

"I am committing TONIGHT at the Larry Finch Center at 6:30 pm," the Facebook post attributed to Jackson said. "Come support me and one of the biggest decisions (of) my life. ... Kansas, TN, Memphis. What (will it) be?"

Jackson is a consensus top-20 player in the country and has been ranked in the top 10 by some scouting services. From the minute Jackson emerged as an elite, national-level player several years ago, Memphis fans began tracking him and hoping he would become the first McDonald’s All-American to stay home and play for the Tigers since Lorenzen Wright.

Jackson has made good on that belief, despite a coaching change at Memphis in April that could have turned his recruitment in a different direction. Instead, Pastner has not only been able to secure Jackson but also has landed top-10 player in shooting guard Will Barton from Baltimore.

Jackson’s commitment ensures Memphis will have one of the top recruiting classes in the country in 2010, regardless of who else Pastner gets.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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