recruits

[MIKE MACALUSO]

Of The Patriot-News
Ed DeChellis and Jeff Lebo have crossed paths before. And, at least on the surface, they've entered more important junctures.

But for the here and now, the coming week qualifies as a moment of truth for both.

The head basketball coaches at Penn State and Auburn are after the same big, physical junior-college point guard. They are the only ones left on the board.

And they both really need David Jackson.

Jackson is a 6-21/2, 185-pound combo guard from Beltsville, Md., in suburban D.C., by way of Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla. He is exactly what both coaches crave for their leaderless teams.

Stats can lie, especially considering erratic juco competition. But it's hard to imagine these lying too much:

At Gulf Coast last season, Jackson compiled these eye-poppers:

Field goals: 145 of 273 for .531.


3-pointers: 52 of 94 for a whopping .553 from the arc.


Free throws: 130 of 157 for .828.


Assist-turnover ratio: 2:1 (92-46).


Rebounds: 6.4 (this is a guard).


Steals: 2.2.

"I think my best strength is understanding the game," Jackson said by phone yesterday from Panama City. "And I think I'm a leader."

Asked how he defines a leader -- something Penn State certainly needs -- Jackson responded, "Someone who works hard, makes sure everyone knows what they need to do. Basically, a coach, only as a player."

Jackson made a three-day visit to Penn State last weekend, hosted by senior forward Travis Parker. He is scheduled to visit Auburn from Tuesday through Thursday and said he will make his decision on Thursday.

Asked to appraise Penn State, Jackson said he liked "the whole atmosphere, it was a family atmosphere. They really take care of their players, make sure they have what they need. The coaches seem like they're hard workers. And I like the opportunity there."

Meaning he can play lots right away. The point guard job is up for grabs with junior-to-be Ben Luber largely ineffective and junior-to-be Marlon Smith's status uncertain after suffering a blood clot in his brain in December.

One would think Jackson knows

[Jimmy Chitwood]

The coaches made a very strong play for David Jackson. It didn't work out. However, the beat goes on. The staff did not hesitate to move on. I'm impressed with their success so far. Hawkins is a real nice get. Ivan will fill a huge gap on D and on the glass. The recruiting has been a well organized effort. These guys recruit hard.

[BonaMan]

Looks like it is going to be ultra competitive to bag David Jackson. It sounds like we would be stealing him right out from under Auburn and Penn State. Can anyone confirm that he indeed is the one that visited this weekend? If we get him and either a highly rated transfer (Ed Turner, Dayshawn Wright, etc.) or another bigger body forward who has some talent than the coaching staff did a great job. I still have some questions about Dave Fox but I will wait to hold my judgement on his skills until I see him in a Bonnies uniform.

Other news that I want to note, the reported DUI/DWI of the player is a big deal but I do not think it will lead to a revoked scholarship. Probably going to merit a suspension at the beginning of the season though. It might be more severe or less severe than that depending on the circumstances surrounding it. Will anyone disclose who the player is?

FYI... while looking for information last night on Jackson I came across a site that said UConn is looking at Mario Boggans. Could not stick at Florida, could not make it here, immense talent with a great JC season but I sense a trend. I would not touch him with a 50 foot pole.

[sireltonruddock]

The recruit this weekend was definitely not David Jackson. And as for the alleged DUI, that is a rumor as of now. I don't think it's fair to speak of it unless there is hard evidence that something actually did occur.