Jackson set to join SCSU basketball team

By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer

The Port City's loss is once again the Garden City's gain, specifically the South Carolina State men's basketball team's gain..

On Tuesday, the T&D learned from multiple sources that former College of Charleston center Josh Jackson has enrolled in classes at SCSU and should be eligible to play for the 2008-09 season. The 6-foot-8, 255-pound junior, who was an All-State center at South Aiken High School, left the Cougars' program in May and will have one season of eligibility remaining after sitting out this season.

Jackson played three seasons at the College of Charleston, enjoying his best all-around season as a sophomore when he averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and shot 50.7 percent from the floor in 24 games to earn third-team All-Southern Conference honors.

This past season, Jackson came off the bench and played in all 28 games for the Cougars, averaging nine points and 5.1 rebounds. The College of Charleston finished 22-11 and a victory shy of reaching the NCAA tournament after losing to Davidson in the conference tournament final.



Former College of Charleston center Josh Jackson is reportedly set to join the SCSU Mens' basketball team.

Instead of returning to Charleston to team with Jermaine Johnson, Jackson is expected to form a tandem with another 6-8 Johnson in newly-signed junior college All-American transfer Jason Johnson. Jackson's presence will also provide added size and experience to a frontcourt which is expected to have Julius Carter and Chris Miller-Williams entering their senior season and Jason Flagler, Gerald Carter and Dale Carn as rising juniors.

Jackson is the second College of Charleston product who's made their way to SCSU since new head coach Tim Carter's hiring. In June, Cougars' director of basketball operations Kyle Perry accepted an assistant coaching position with the Bulldogs and one of his first recruiting finds was Class 3-A Player of the Year Carrio Bennett of Berea, who previously visited the College of Charleston.

Bennett and Johnson will join Jesse Burton, shooting guard Wesley Telfare and forward Everett Spencer as the newest Bulldogs next season. SCSU will tip off Nov. 9 at the University of South Carolina.