Jessica Jackson can rest easy again.
So can Arkansas Coach Tom Collen.
Jackson, a highly rated guard/forward from Jacksonville High School, has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for the Razorbacks, Collen announced Friday.
Jackson, 6-3, is one of the highest-rated prospects Arkansas has signed during Collen’s six seasons as the Razorbacks coach. She is rated the No. 7 prospect in the nation by Dan Olson’s Collegiate Girls Basketball Report, No. 17 by ESPN and had scholarship offers from more than 30 schools, including Kentucky, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas A&M.
Jackson orally committed to the Razorbacks in late August, but she decided not to sign during the early signing period in November.
“It feels great because I feel free now,” Jackson said. “I don’t have to worry about everybody asking, ‘What school you going to? What school you going to?’ It’s finally official.”
Jackson led Jacksonville to a 26-4 record and the Class 5A state title, earning MVP honors in the championship game. She averaged 22 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks per game as a senior after averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks per game during her junior season.
She was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s All-Arkansas Preps first team, as well as being named to the all-conference, all-state and WBCA All-America teams.
“Every program in the country wanted her, so it’s very significant that she decided to stay home and become a Razorback,” Collen said. “This is a young lady that could play any position on the floor if we ask her.She is the true definition of a point-forward. She has guard skills in a post player’s body.
“The last time an in-state player of her caliber stayed home was Shameka Christon, and Arkansas was in the NCAA Tournament three consecutive years. Jess has the ability to have the same type of impact and more.”
Jackson said she is looking forward to competing in the rugged SEC.
“I hope to get better, like training wise, so I can go up there and be the player they’re expecting me to be,” Jackson said.
Her father, Jeff, and grandparents Bruce and Timothy Moore were seated next to Jackson at the table Friday during her signing ceremony at the high school’s gymnasium. Being close to home and family played a key role in her decision to go to Arkansas.
“I’m a family person,” Jackson said. “That’s the reason I’m going to Arkansas, because they made me feel like family.
“I got to have my family wherever I go. Going out far would’ve been hard for them trying to get to the games, and then I would’ve been homesick. Three hours away, I can drive home any time I want.”
Jackson also praised Collen and his staff for the way they recruited her.
“Coach Collen has been there for me since day one, like a father figure sort of,” Jackson said. “Something could be wrong with me and he knows something is wrong.”
Collen said landing Jackson speaks volumes for the Razorbacks’ program.
“Any time you beat out a half-dozen Final Four programs on a recruit, it’s a huge statement for our program,” said Collen, whose team finished 20-13 last season and was eliminated in the second round of the WNIT. “Hopefully it’s the first of many to come.
“I’m so proud of Jess and her dad, Jeff, that they stuck with their hearts and decided to be the cornerstone of building the Arkansas program.”
Jessica Jackson file SCHOOL Jacksonville POSITION Guard/forward HEIGHT 6-3 NOTEWORTHY Averaged 22 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocked shots a game in her senior season, leading the Lady Red Devils to a 26-4 record and to the Class 5A state title.
ESPN ranks Jackson as the No. 17 player and as the No. 4 forward in the country. Despite not playing in the fourth quarter of the Class 5A state championship game against Paragould, Jackson scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds. She was named the tournament’s MVP.
Sports, Pages 21 on 04/20/2013