Yellowjacket Men’s Basketball Signs All-American Jackson

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings head men’s basketball coach, George Pfeifer, announced Tuesday that 6-1, 175 lb., point guard DaVell Jackson has signed to play for the Yellowjackets this season.  Jackson transfers from Oklahoma City University and will have one season of eligibility for MSUB.

“I first saw DaVell playing when he was with the Las Vegas Prospect (coached by Anthony Brown) during the summer AAU circuit,” Pfeifer said.  “Their team was one of the top ranked summer teams in the country.  I immediately fell in love with the toughness and the competitive spirit he brought to the game, he is the ultimate winner.”

Jackson attended Salt Lake Community College prior to Oklahoma City where he had storybook career during his two seasons.  In his final year, he averaged 13.7 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals.  In the championship game of the Scenic West Conference, Jackson scored 32 points against host College of Southern Idaho to go along with eight rebounds and six assists helping his team qualify for the National Junior College Tournament.  SLCC finished runner-up in the national championship where Jackson tallied 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

He was named Scenic West Conference Most Valuable Player, Scenic West Tournament MVP, First Team NJCAA All-America and First Team NJCAA all-tournament honors.

“There is no question as to the basketball ability that DaVell possesses,” Pfeifer added.  “In the big games when the lights are brightest, he seems to shine the most.  DaVell dominated No. 1 CSI while at SLCC.  CSI had guard transfers from Indiana, Washington, USC and would eventually send six of its guards to Division I schools like Kentucky.  Jackson dominated the game as he helped hand CSI its only two losses of the season as he scored 32 points in each game.  The list of accolades he has received is impressive and everyone who is connected in the basketball community knows of this young man.”

Jackson prepped at El Dorado High School in Las Vegas, Nev.  There, he averaged 17 points, five rebounds and five assists as a senior.  He earned four letters in basketball and three letters in football.  He left high school and was targeted to go to Hargrave Military Academy to play football and was offered a scholarship to play football at UNLV out of high school.  After his two years at SLCC, he was recruited for basketball by New Mexico, New Mexico State, Cincinnati, UNLV and Fresno State to name a few.

“The fact we have DeVell in a Yellowjacket uniform is very comforting,” Pfeifer added.  “He can impact the game in so many different ways.”