Ramsey: Palmer grad Jackson having a ball at Boston College

Reggie Jackson has taken his outrageous, entertaining basketball show out East, where he dunks over massive defenders, dances on courts and, as usual, enjoys a grand time.

Two seasons ago, Jackson and his Palmer teammates terrorized opponents across Colorado, and now he frightens defenders as a sophomore guard for Boston College.

“I’m not really surprised,” said Jackson, who never will be accused of lacking confidence.

But Jackson carries baggage on his basketball journey. Jackson is superb at seizing rebounds and rampaging to the basket, but struggles to drop his quirky jump shot. This was true at Palmer. This is true at BC.

He averages 14.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Eagles while impressing hard-to-impress coach Al Skinner, but he’s missed 19 of his last 24 3-pointers.

His shooting struggles have nothing to do with work ethic. After his teammates depart practice, Jackson remains on the floor, launching shots. He estimates he takes 300 shots each day, and hits 70 percent when he’s alone. When surrounded by defenders, that percentage plummets.

Part of the problem is his approach. Jackson plays at a ridiculously high speed. Imagine someone ripping along at 118 miles per hour on I-25, and you get a picture of Jackson’s game.

He adores the challenge of beating his defender to the rim, where all kinds of fun await. Earlier this season against Miami, Jackson rose a foot above the rim and slammed over 6-foot-10, 285-pound Reggie Johnson.

He was called for a charge, but this rise to the heights was vintage Reggie. He soars among college basketball’s princes of the air.

He’s not so interested in jump shots, which require slamming on the brakes and calmly contemplating the rim. He also struggles in the peaceful atmosphere of the free-throw line, where he shoots 65 percent.

“It almost feels like I can get to the rim whenever I want, and there’s no point in taking the 3,” Jackson said. “I have to take more time to be more relaxed to knock down a shot for my team.”

Skinner, who’s led BC for 13 seasons, believes in Jackson. He’s watched Jackson’s diligent after-practice labor, and he’s seen Jackson drop crucial deep shots.

“It’s there,” Skinner said of Jackson’s shooting touch. “Maybe he’s thinking a little too much.”

Skinner is wise enough to let Reggie be Reggie. Jackson excelled as a flamboyant performer at Palmer, where he was a big hit at his home gym and a threat to start a riot at opposing gyms.

He laughed. He chatted with players and spectators and refs. He pointed fingers. He clapped, often for his own exploits.

Doherty coach Dan McKiernan has watched a parade of players in the past 38 seasons. Jackson torched his team a few times, but McKiernan never took it personally.

“He’s a free spirit who’s just having a hell of a good time,” McKiernan said in 2008.

And the good times are rolling in New England. In the waning seconds of last season’s home win over Duke, Jackson sprinted down the sideline, shouting, waving his arms, begging the BC crowd to share his joy.

“If he’s comfortable with it, I’m comfortable with it,” Skinner said. “If it’s part of his personality, so be it.”

Jackson still reaches for his potential. He’s learning, as most high school superstars must, to share with his teammates.

And, most of all, he’s learning to slow down, make peace with a far-away rim and drop those pesky jumpers.
When that happens – and I believe it’s only a matter of time – his show will really take off.