'07 OH PG/SG Dante Jackson (Xavier Verbal)

[Redlegs]

I've got a little update on how Dante performed at the OSU football camp from some coaches that were there.

There are two plays in particular where Dante went up against DB's that had already committed to the Bucks. I didn't get names for these guys, I'm still trying to figure that out. Both guys were bumping him pretty hard but he worked around both of them on seperate plays.

I guess he burned one of the guys but the pass was underthrown and hit the DB in the back. The other play he went up with one hand and grabbed the pass while pushing down on the head of the DB with the other hand. Tress was watching this as well, so it didn't go unnoticed.

He got an offer from the Akron coach on the spot so that makes UK, Akron, Maryland and UC as far as I know so far.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by Redlegs

I've got a little update on how Dante performed at the OSU football camp from some coaches that were there.

There are two plays in particular where Dante went up against DB's that had already committed to the Bucks. I didn't get names for these guys, I'm still trying to figure that out. Both guys were bumping him pretty hard but he worked around both of them on seperate plays.

I guess he burned one of the guys but the pass was underthrown and hit the DB in the back. The other play he went up with one hand and grabbed the pass while pushing down on the head of the DB with the other hand. Tress was watching this as well, so it didn't go unnoticed.

He got an offer from the Akron coach on the spot so that makes UK, Akron, Maryland and UC as far as I know so far.

Thanks for the update. I really like his upside, but I think he is still a wait and see. Could be a sleeper if some of the other guys fall through.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Thanks for the update. I really like his upside, but I think he is still a wait and see. Could be a sleeper if some of the other guys fall through.

I still believe he could have a bigger impact on the BB court. He is a great kid and a class act, a program who lands him will be getting a quality individual on and off the court/field.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Scout.com$

7/12/06

At the Kentucky Hoopfest....Jackson played well and his shots were falling in a win over Spiece Central Stars. Michigan, Xavier and Dayton are his top 3 schools.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

7/13/06

TACITURN TUBBY TALKS -- BRIEFLY
Kentucky's Tubby Smith (29), possibly the least-interviewed big-time coach during the offseason, gave the media seven minutes last Friday at Nike camp before accepting an escape lifeline from Shawn Finney. (More on the former Tulane head coach (30) later.)

It might be a good idea if Tubby wore these colors out more in public.
The Minutes isn't sure that this is what Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart (31) had in mind when, in late spring, he said publicly that Smith needed to be more visible. Smith says no to the media more often than David Spade (32) says no in those Capital One commercials, and it will be difficult to move him out of that isolationist stance. The guess here is that Tubby has done his last interview until the season starts in mid-October.

Smith doesn't seem to believe that his profile and the recruiting profile of his program are intertwined -- something most of his fellow coaches would probably disagree with. But the fact is, most of the current recruitable athletes were younger than 10 the last time the Wildcats made a Final Four. It might help if they saw or heard from the Kentucky coach more often.

And given Smith's wildly inconsistent recruiting in recent years, this is a crucial summer. He needs some quality commitments. (In something of a surprise, Smith turned up in Louisville at the HoopFest on Monday afternoon, joining Marquette's Tom Crean (33) among the few high-profile head coaches at the event. Rumor was that Smith was eyeballing athletic Ohio wingman Dante Jackson (34), a star track athlete and a promising football player, too.)

Recruiting, in part, is where Finney comes in. In effect, he's serving as an extra set of eyes for Smith on the recruiting trail. The two compared notes on several prospects and watched games together on at least one occasion in Indy.

Finney is unemployed -- for now -- but The Minutes expects him to be ticketed for a director of basketball operations gig at Kentucky. Putting off that hiring means that Smith can have Finney's insight on the road, in addition to recruiting assistants Reggie Hanson and Scott Rigot.

When asked about the possibility of hiring Finney, Smith said, "I don't know nothin' about nothin'." Look for him to become enlightened on that subject later this summer.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Scout.com$

7/14/06

Day 2 at the Kentucky Hoopfest.....Jackson shot the ball well from the outside and played hardnosed defense.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Rivals.com$ (Xavier site)

7/25/06

At the Super Showcase in Florida.....Jackson is close to a decision. Xavier and Dayton are at the top of his list and an August decision is likely. Staffs from Xavier, Dayton, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas State were in attendance.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Rivals.com$ (Xavier site)

7/26/06

Day 2 of the Super Showcase in Florida....Jackson had 13 points in a win.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Rivals.com$ (Xavier site)

7/29/06

After a game at the Kentucky Hoop Fest, Jackson had a chance to talk to Michael Jordan who said he liked Dante's game. Xavier and Dayton are his top 2 schools. Cincinnati, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Indiana, and Illinois are also on his list. Jackson says he will not play football at the next level and will concentrate on basketball. Dante wants to make a decision in August.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Scout.com$

7/30/06

Saturday at the AAU Nationals...Jackson had 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in a win. Jackson is scoring most of his points from the perimeter.

[Redlegs]

Dante has been a no show for the McClain football camp this summer and most are saying that he won't play football.

Going along with the latest Scout articles, I believe he's basketball 100%

I'll let you know if he shows up to 2 a days next week.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dante has been a no show for the McClain football camp this summer and most are saying that he won't play football.

I have always had the opinion that basketball would be his ticket at the next level.

[Redlegs]

Originally Posted by OSUBasketballJunkie

I have always had the opinion that basketball would be his ticket at the next level.

I always had that feeling as well, I just wanted him to give football a shot this year. It's really a shame that we won't get to see him on the field.

Dante was a no show for the first day of 2-a-days.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Scout.com$

8/5/06

Xavier and Dayton are his leaders with Notre Dame, Indiana, Cincinnati, Kentucky, and Tennessee in the mix.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Rivals.com$ (Xavier site)

8/7/06

Jackson will make his announcement this Thursday at 2:00pm. Xavier and Dayton are his final two schools.