Jackson began playing organized basketball for the first time as a ninth grader at Midwest City High School.[1]
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Jackson was listed as the No. 12 power forward and the No. 54 player in the nation in 2004.[2]
College career
He was called one of the most improved players in the nation after averaging 6.7 rebounds during his senior season at Kansas in 2007–08.[3] He attracted some attention from NBA scouts after several breakout performances, including a 25-point, 9-rebound effort against Boston College. After this performance, he was named the co-winner of the Phillips 66Big 12 Conference Player of the Week.[4]
In 2005, Jackson's sophomore year, Jackson was suspended for nine games for accepting payments from Kansas booster Don Davis, a family friend.[5] This was part of a rough year for him, as his grandmother had been killed by a drunk driver earlier in 2005. After scoring, Jackson often thumped his chest three times. Symbolically, one of the thumps was for Jackson's grandmother, one was for his mother, and one was for Davis.[6]
He played a big role in the Jayhawks' 2008 championship season, leading the team in rebounds and shooting percentage.
Professional career
Drafted and signed by Cleveland
Jackson was selected as the 52nd overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Miami Heat on June 26. He was traded to the Cavaliers on the same day. Sasha Kaun, his former Jayhawks teammate and fellow 2008 draft pick, was also acquired by the Cavaliers (from the Seattle SuperSonics).[7] Kaun was acquired by Cleveland during the 2015–2016 season, played in 25 games, and won a championship with the team.[8] Jackson was signed by the team on September 6, 2008.[9]
2008 NBA Summer League
Jackson played for the Cavaliers during the NBA (National Basketball Association) Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada. In five games (four starts) he averaged 5.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game.[9]
2008–09
Jackson broke his wrist during the preseason and was inactive for the first 13 games of the Cavaliers' regular season.[10] Jackson made his professional debut on November 25, 2008, against the New York Knicks. In six minutes of play, he scored four points on a perfect 2–2 from the field and grabbed two rebounds.[11] On February 9, 2009, Jackson was assigned by the Cavs to their affiliate D-League team, the Erie Bayhawks.[12] He played one game before being recalled back to the Cavs, a day later.[13] In his only game with Erie, Jackson scored a game-high[13] 24 points (on 10-of-14 field goals) in 26 minutes in a 101–89 win over Utah.[12][14]
2009–10
On February 24, 2010, Jackson was assigned to the Erie BayHawks of the NBA D-League.[15] On February 26, 2010, Jackson was recalled by the Cavaliers after Shaquille O'Neal sustained a significant thumb injury against the Boston Celtics on February 25.[16] Jackson was sent down again on March 20, and recalled the next day. On March 23, he was waived by Cleveland due to the return of star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.[17] He was then claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Bucks.[18]
On November 1, 2012, Jackson was acquired by the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League.[21] He left in January 2013 to sign in China.[22] In March 2013, he rejoined the Bighorns.[23]
2013–14
On September 10, 2013, he signed with the Indiana Pacers.[24] However, he was waived on October 17.[25] Later that month, he signed with the Shanghai Sharks of China.
On October 31, 2014, Jackson's rights were traded from Reno to the Westchester Knicks in exchange for a first-round pick and the rights to Stefhon Hannah.[27] He officially joined the Knicks on November 3, 2014.[28]
