Jackson named to Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team
It’s not often that a player can change the outlook of a game simply by walking on the court and making his presence felt. But for the Tennessee Tech men’s basketball, that was reality every game this season with arrival of junior college transfer Charles Jackson.
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It's not often that a player can change the outlook of a game simply by walking on the court and making his presence felt. But for the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team, that was reality every game this season with arrival of junior college transfer Charles Jackson.
The Ohio Valley Conference seems to share the sentiment as Jackson was named to the league's All-Newcomer Team Tuesday afternoon, becoming the first Golden Eagle to earn the honor since Jeremiah Samarrippas following the 2012-13 campaign.
The junior big man instantly became a fan favorite with his energetic style of play and electric personality. It didn't hurt that the newest member of the Golden Eagle frontcourt dominated the paint this season as well, leading the Tech squad in scoring, rebounding, blocks, steals, field goal percentage and games started.
Averaging 13.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, the Sacramento native ran off 18 double-doubles on the year, leading the league and ranking in the top five in the nation in the category all year. It marked the second-highest total in program history, just two shy of the late, legendary center Lorenzo Coleman's 20 during the 1996-97 season.
Jackson ranked second in the OVC in rebounding, pulling down the highest average of boards by a Tech player since Coleman pulled down 11.9 during the 1996-97 campaign. At the conclusion of the NCAA's regular season, he was tied for 25th in the nation in rebounds per game with the NBA's projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, Jahlil Okafor.
In addition to claiming OVC All-Newcomer accolades, Jackson earned five adidas® OVC Newcomer of the Week honors throughout the season, two more than any other player in the league. His five weekly awards rank as the most in a single season by a Golden Eagle since TTU Hall of Famer Damien Kinloch collected six Freshman of the Week honors back during the 2001-02 season.
On the year, Jackson was the only Tech player to start and play in all 30 contests, scoring a total of 390 points and corralling 286 rebounds. He finished his first season in purple and gold averaging 27.2 minutes per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the field, which ranked in the top 10 in the league. He also blocked 40 shots and totaled 33 steals.
2014-15 Men's Basketball All-OVC Teams and Awards
OVC Player of the Year: Cameron Payne, Murray State
OVC Defensive Player of the Year: Corey Walden, Eastern Kentucky
OVC Freshman of the Year: Cornell Johnston, Eastern Illinois
OVC Coach of the Year: Steve Prohm, Murray State
ALL-OVC FIRST TEAM
Cameron Payne, Murray State
Corey Walden, Eastern Kentucky
Craig Bradshaw, Belmont
Jarvis Williams, Murray State
Eric Stutz, Eastern Kentucky
ALL-OVC SECOND TEAM
Evan Bradds, Belmont
Marshun Newell, UT Martin
Jarekious Bradley, Southeast Missouri
Deville Smith, UT Martin
Trae Anderson, Eastern Illinois
ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
Deville Smith, UT Martin
Trae Anderson, Eastern Illinois
Charles Jackson, Tennessee Tech
Cornell Johnston, Eastern Illinois
Twymond Howard, UT Martin
Photos by Jim Dillon, Tony Marable, Rich Schmidt, and TTU Photo Services
