Jim Jackson (basketball)

Jim Jackson (born October 18, 1970) is an American former professional basketball player and current television analyst. He played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 12 different teams.

Early Life and Career:

Jackson was born in Toledo, Ohio. He was a standout player at Macomber High School, leading the team to a state championship. He was heavily recruited and ultimately chose to play college basketball at Ohio State University.

College Career:

At Ohio State, Jackson became one of the most decorated players in program history. A three-time All-American, he led the Buckeyes to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons. He was known for his versatile scoring ability, playmaking skills, and competitiveness. After his junior year, he declared for the 1992 NBA Draft.

NBA Career:

Jackson was selected as the fourth overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1992 NBA Draft. He quickly established himself as a key player for the Mavericks, forming a promising young trio with Jason Kidd and Jamal Mashburn. However, due to contract disputes and disagreements with the team's management, his tenure in Dallas was shorter than expected.

Throughout his NBA career, Jackson played for a variety of teams, including the New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers. He was a consistent scorer and solid contributor, though he never achieved the championship success many had predicted for him early in his career. He retired from the NBA in 2006.

Post-Playing Career:

Following his retirement from playing, Jackson transitioned into a career in broadcasting. He has worked as a television analyst for various networks, including Fox Sports, ESPN, and the Big Ten Network, providing commentary and analysis on NBA and college basketball games.