Meet Your New Basketball Eagles: Lonnie Jackson

The 2011-12 Boston College Eagles basketball team will have a Jackson on it. Of course, the casual fan may turn on the TV or, shockingly enough, go to a game at some point this year, look at the name on the jersey and say “That’s not that Reggie Jackson kid.” No, it’s not: it’s today’s featured freshman, Lonnie Jackson (#20). Like yesterday’s feature, Ryan Anderson, Jackson is also a California native.

Coming in at 6-3 and a very light 170, Jackson most recently played for Valencia High School, where he set a bunch of school records. He was the team’s all-time leading scorer with just shy of 2,000 points, and the leader in three-pointers made, free throws made, assists, and steals. When you can say you set the school record in all of those categories, yeah, you’re probably the best player in school history. In his senior season, he averaged 22.8 points per game, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Furthermore, he was his HS league’s Player of the Year two years running, his junior and senior seasons.

Here’s how you know Jackson’s a Donahue guy: Revisit the previous paragraph and note how he was his high school’s all-time best three-point shooter. That skill will definitely come in handy with the motion offense, and said scheme was a big selling point. Another selling point may have perhaps been the other California players joining this team. When Jackson played AAU ball, he was teammates with Kyle Caudill, and played in the same league as Ryan Anderson. These guys all knew each other in the high school circuit and will all be teammates in November.

Anderson was #12 on Cali High’s Top 25 list of the best 2011 recruits in California, and Jackson is #23. Two key excerpts from their scouting report; please visit the link to read the rest:

"Jackson’s best attribute is his shot. While his release isn’t quick enough at this point he does have a very high release point, making his shot very hard to block. The combination of his size and high release point allows him to easily shoot over smaller defenders and at the high school level makes him a matchup nightmare."

"If his shot becomes more consistent off the dribble and he starts to fill out his frame and add strength Lonnie could see major time right away for the Eagles. This guy can get really hot really quickly and can score in bunches. As a freshmen [sic], look for him to be a change of pace guard who gives the offense a jumpstart but he could grow into a star by his Junior year at Boston College."

The people who have watched him play out in California are very high on him, but of course, this isn’t high school. As with every single guy who comes onto this team, it remains to be seen how this all translates to the collegiate D-I level. What we do have on Jackson, however, is very good.