The toughest telephone call D’Angelo Jackson made last spring was to UWGB head coach Tod Kowalczyk.   The Phoenix came in a close second to Creighton University in this recruiting battle.   In a guard dominate conference like the Horizon League – Jackson was viewed as the missing piece in Kowalczyk’s rebuilding efforts.  

In his senior season at Milwaukee Pius the XI, Jackson had been playing at a level that was getting increasing interest from division one schools.  The lightning quick floor general was averaging 24 points per game.  An ankle injury slowed him down a bit and he finished the season with an 18 point per game average and 3.3 assists.  

He had surgery after the season that kept him out of pre-season practices at Creighton.   It also pushed him down the depth chart to third in the point guard rotation.  It all added up to a medical redshirt season.  When December and the end of the semester came along, Jackson decided to ask for his release and he gave Kowalczyk a call.  Jackson told the Green Bay Press Gazette, “"Right before I committed to Creighton last year, Coach K told me if I didn't like it I could always call him."  

Jackson’s old high school coach Joel Claassen of Milwaukee Pius says the decision to go to Creighton was based on a status the program had in the wake of success in the NCAA Tournament.  "He really liked Tod a lot and really felt bad about turning him down last year.  

Jackson was Kowalczyk’s top recruiting priority last spring.  The six footer is on Shorewood Campus and practicing with his new team.  He’ll be eligible in early December, with thee an a half years of eligibility left.   

Claassen says, “D’Angelo’s quickness is undefendable.  He has a great first step.  Quickness and speed have always been D’Angelo’s biggest assets on the basketball court.”  

In his senior season at Pius, Jackson was ranked as the fifth best player in the state by Mark Miller’s  Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook.  A heck of an accomplishment in one of the best years for prep talent in the Badger state where more than a dozen seniors earn division one scholarships.   

The players ranked above Jackson include Louisville starter Jerry Smith and Wisconsin Badger top reserves Trevon Hughes and J.P. Gavinski.  Some pretty impressive company.

Return to home page   Message Board