The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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May 7, 2009

Another Jackson inks to play basketball at Mountain State

By Dave Morrison

The trend will now continue at Mountain State University.

Whether it is the ultimate irony or if it’s destiny, the Cougars basketball program has been its most successful when a Jackson is running the point for MSU.

In 2004 Adrian “A.J.” Jackson led MSU to the national championship.

In 2005 and 2006 Brian Jackson was the Cougars point guard when the team went to the Elite Eight and Sweet 16.

And in 2008, Jarvis Jackson helped MSU reach the NAIA national championship game.

“Five of the last six years we’ve had a Jackson at point guard,” MSU coach Bob Bolen said. “It is ironic for that to happen. I know it’s a strange coincidence but I will say that we have enjoyed every one of those Jacksons being a part of the Mountain State family.”

And now there will be a fifth.

Mountain State continued to add to its 2009-2010 team by signing 6-foot-1, 220-pound point guard Curtis Jackson to the fold.

Jackson, a native of Brooklyn, attended Gennessee Community College (in Batavia, NY), which, adding to the intrigue, is the same junior college Brian Jackson attended.

“I actually know Brian, and he was the one who let me know about (Mountain State),” Curtis Jackson said. “He told me what a great guy coach Bolen is and how coach takes care of his players and that he had a lot of respect for coach Bolen. And my old coach also talked up coach Bolen and the program.”

Jackson was also being courted by NAIA powers Robert Morris and Cumberland (Tenn.).

“But when I got off the plane here, coach Art (assistant coach Artis Mattox) was waiting for me and we hit it off immediately,” Jackson said. “And then I met the guys and just getting to play with them sealed the deal. I’ve never played with guys as talented as the big guy Nick (Aldridge) and the other big guy Andrew (Lee) unless it was playing street ball back home. They are talented.”

Jackson is bigger than the typical MSU point guard.

“I am a bigger guard but I can still do the things a smaller point guard does,” Jackson said. “I bring what a good point guard brings. I like to get my teammates involved in the game and I can hit the three if I have to. Just like Brian (Jackson), only bigger than Brian.”

“Brian has tremendous leadership qualities,” Bolen said. “He is a very mature player who played against great competition in New York. He is very physical and sees the floor well. He shares the ball and has the ability to hit the three. He is a quality addition to our program.”

Jackson, who will be a junior next fall, plans on returning to Beckley in June for summer classes.

“I want to get used to the town, the school,” Jackson said. “The great thing for me is I get to be a part of this program for the next two years. I can’t wait.”

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