Grandson concludes collegiate career
Abe Jackson, grandson of Pat Jackson of Marion, has completed his college basketball career at Boise State University, Idaho.
Pat went against the stereotype of retirees. When winter approached, she headed north. For the past 10 winters, she has stayed at Boise.
Abe was born in Marion but left with his parents, George and Jeanette Jackson, when he was an infant.
He was a four-year starting forward at BSU, set the school's three-point shooting record with 234 (including nine in one game), and ranks fourth all time in scoring.
"Abe Jackson Day" was held Feb. 23 in Boise in recognition of Abe's accomplishments. Mayor Brent Coles asked citizens to rededicate themselves "to the principles of athleticism, fair play and the three-point shot," and encouraged fans to wear Abe's high school colors, black and gold, at a game that evening.
In 1999, he helped the Broncos win the first Big West division championship in school history. Originally, he was to redshirt his freshman year (practice, but not play). But his coach put him in the starting line that January, and he remained a starting force on the team, including making the Big West all-tournament team as a freshman.
Fresno State University Coach Jerry Tarkanian was among his fans, telling The Idaho Statesman that Abe "could be the best shooting player in the conference. I can't believe how he could shoot the ball."
Jackson holds three school records (three points made and attempted in a career, 246/621, and three-pointers made in a season, 85).
He ranks in the top 10 in 14 other statistical categories. Officials say his stats would have been even better if he had played the first 10 games of his freshman year, when he was to redshirt.
He was an All-America candidate and was named second team All-Western Athletic Conference, the first BSU player to earn the honor. BSU moved to the WAC just this year.
He was named WAC or Big West all-conference or all tournament teams all four years.
He is one of two Bronco players to score more than 1,500 points (1,613) and have more than 500 rebounds (511). He averaged 19.2 points as a senior, and was one of only 13 players in Bronco history to score more than 1,000 points.
At Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, he averaged 26 points and nine rebounds a game, winning the Idaho state championship. He was named Idaho Player of the Year his junior and senior years, and the Gatorade state player of the year his senior season. In his three years as a starter on the high school team, he compiled a record of 68 wins and seven losses.
In an interview with the Statesman, Abe said his favorite fan is "his grandmother."
