Jalen Jackson Receiving Interest From Michigan, Tennessee, Clemson, and More
Lou Henson Award Finalist and First-Team All-Horizon selection Jalen Jackson is hearing from Michigan, Tennessee, Clemson, and Notre Dame, among others.
Player Information
Player Name: Jalen Jackson
College: Purdue Fort Wayne
Eligibility: 1 year
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Season Overview (2024-25)
Stats: 31 MPG | 19 PPG | 4 RPG | 3 APG | 2 SPG | 48% FG
Anthropometrics: 6’2” | 200 lbs | Guard
Accolades:
Lou Henson Award Finalist (2024-25)
First-Team All-Horizon (2024-25)
Horizon Sportsmanship Award (2024-25)
Horizon All-Academic (2024-25)
CSC Academic All-District (2024-25)
Third-Team All-Conference (2023-24)
Notable Games
At Michigan: 31 MIN | 27 PTS | 59% FG | 86% FT (6-7)
At Penn State: 38 MIN | 31 PTS | 2 REB | 2 AST | 48% FG | 83% FT (10-12)
At IU Indy: 35 MIN | 38 PTS | 7 REB | 6 AST | 69% FG | 78% FT (14-18)
Interview
Question: What qualities will you bring to your next team, both on and off the court?
Answer: “Off the court, I’m a community guy. I’m good at building relationships, very outgoing, respectful, and not a head case. I will meet and help support whatever community I’m in. I like to leave a place better than I found it.”
“On the court, I’m a competitor, winner, and not going to take any days off. I like to win and I’m an everyday guy. I want to win and will do whatever it takes to win.”
Question: How have you developed your game over the past few seasons and what is the plan for this offseason?
Answer: “This offseason I want to fine-tune a lot of things. I still have a lot more to grow. I still want to improve my on-ball defense. It’s good but I want to become a prolific two-way player. I want to guard well and continue to score at a high level. There was a drop off in my three-point shooting numbers from sophomore to junior year. I know I can shoot and the numbers will play out. Just need to fine-tune everything and stay in the gym every day.”
Question: Since entering the transfer portal, which programs have contacted you or expressed interest?
Answer: “Michigan, Tennessee, Clemson, Notre Dame, Missouri, Virginia, Iowa, LSU, Memphis, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Butler, Nebraska, TCU, and Nevada.”
Question: What has been the most significant turning point in your basketball career so far?
Answer: “The years at Purdue Fort Wayne for sure. The community that supported me was huge. The people in the community and around me were great and I’m thankful for the years I’ve had here.”
Question: Who is the most talented player you’ve competed against and what made them stand out?
Answer: “The best player I’ve played against is Shaedon Sharpe or Brandon Miller. We played them in EYBL in a Peach Jam game. Shaedon gave us 40 points and second play of the game he caught a lob at the top of the backboard… man he was good. He was hitting NBA threes, pull-up jumpers, dunking, and finishing well. He was a 17-year-old NBA player. Shaedon and Brandon were one of one.”
Question: How has college basketball shaped you as a person?
Answer: “Its helped me learn how to handle adversity and tough times and good times. I see that now looking back at it. I’ve learned that I am not defined by basketball. My worth is more than a ball going into a hoop and playing college basketball. I wouldn’t trade it for the world and it’s helped me become a more positive human being and impact the lives of others.”
Question: What does success mean to you?
Answer: “I define success as two different things. It’s not how the world views success with all the money, cars, and new shoes. I define success as impacting lives helping people realize their worth and being appreciative of it. Success is not the outcome, but rather there’s success in the process. It’s how I see it at least and why I’m out in the community so much. I want to positively impact others, but I know this isn’t how the world views success.”
Question: What are some of your favorite things outside of basketball? Do you have a favorite food, movie, TV show, or book?
Answer: “I love to read and bowl. I own two bowling balls and a pair of shoes. I got into it like two months ago. Chipotle is my number one place and they have really good brisket and hot chicken. I go there two or three times a week. Reading-wise, I liked Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet. It was about a guy who lived with David Goggins for 31 days and trained with him. I also read Inner Excellence. It was the book A.J. Brown was reading during the Super Bowl. I just started the Rick Pitino book last night. It’s about his approach to everything and view of life. I also love hanging out with the family and workout. I workout twice a day, one lift and then a recovery. Other than that, I play video games. I have a PS5 and play NBA 2K, Apex, and Call of Duty.”
Question: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Answer: “Punta Cana, which is in the Dominican. My uncle went there for spring break and it looked cool. I’d love to hang out there and it looked like good, cool vibes.”
Question: If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
Answer: “Martin Luther King Jr., Steph Curry, and Malcolm X. Steph Curry was my favorite player until Kevin Durant, but I’d love to talk hoops with him. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are two big parts of history. They are a big reason why we see change in the world today. They saw the vision before the vision happened and are probably two of the most pivotal Black men in the world. I’d love to see and learn their perspective of life.”