Rox's workout another possible 2nd Round Choice

Jackson making big splash
MU star has NBA scouts taking notice
By TODD ROSIAK

Robert Jackson took his opportunity and ran with it.




Now, as a result of a solid showing this month at the National Basketball Association pre-draft camp in Chicago, the former Marquette University forward has transformed himself from a borderline prospect into a player almost certain to be selected in the second round Thursday night.

Jackson averaged 13 points and five rebounds and made 77.8% of his shots and 84.6% of his free throws in three games at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, catching the eye of a number of NBA teams.

Before that showing he had worked out for only the Seattle SuperSonics. Since then, he has worked out for five other teams - including the Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and New York Knicks in a four-day span - and will visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.

Jackson has also worked out for the Golden State Warriors, but a scheduled workout with the Sacramento Kings was canceled because the other post players expected to attend pulled out.

"From this point I can honestly say as a person that I've done basically everything I can do," the Milwaukee Washington High School graduate said Friday. "I went to the Final Four, I went to Portsmouth, I went to Chicago and was the leading big-man scorer in the camp. I go to these workouts and I'm shooting the ball well and I'm competing at a high level. I carry no baggage. I've got my degree.

"Hey, if I don't make it to the NBA, then the Lord said it wasn't meant to be. But I've laid all the groundwork."

Jackson's agent, Henry Thomas, said Jackson's physical attributes (6 feet 91/2 inches in shoes, 254 pounds and a 7-0 wingspan) and improving offensive game make him a marketable commodity in a league full of teams on the lookout for talented big men.

"Every team I've spoken to has been very, very positive about his workouts," Thomas said. "He just grows on you. The more you see him, the more you see him developing as a player."

Even if Jackson doesn't hear his name called Thursday night, he said he thought playing in the NBA was still a realistic goal. Indeed, Thomas said one team called to express interest in Jackson as a free agent should he go undrafted.

"I'm not saying if I don't get drafted I won't still pursue my dreams," he said. "I'll still try to make a team as a free agent. But I honestly feel that my name's going to be called next week."
Houston Rockets