Being the son of a former NBA Lottery Pick, Big Ten Player of the Year, and Collegiate National Player Year is no easy task. Since picking up a basketball Traevon Jackson has had higher expectations than most. Being the son of Jim Jackson made things tough on Jackson when on the hardwood. When going against a former NBA player’s son the stakes always seem a bit higher. Opponents play extra harder, and you are often critiqued a little tougher, due to his genetic make up. I am pretty sure this is something that Traevon Jackson has dealt with since picking up a basketball. His father Jim Jackson had an illustrious college basketball career at THE Ohio State University, and then went on to have a solid 14 year career in the NBA.
Traevon Jackson is just scratching the surface as a basketball player, but is making his own way in his own right. Jackson is the floor general for the Wisconsin Badgers. Without Jackson the Badgers would not be playing the Final Four this weekend. Jackson has been the starting point guard for the Badgers for the past two seasons, and it seems as if he gets better the more he plays. Jackson has been a great leader and clutch performer for the Badgers this season. Jackson averages 10.8 ppg and around 4.0 apg. Jackson’s numbers may seem modest if you’ve never seen him play, but his impact is vital to the Badger’s success.
In Bo Ryan’s offense the point guard has a huge responsibility, and without a quality point guard the offense would be in dismay. The point guard out of Columbus, Ohio has been a big time player for the Badgers, and will look to continue to play that way on college basketball’s brightest stage. The younger Jackson gets to hold some bragging rights over his father Jim, by making it to the Final Four. During J.J.’s tenure at OSU he never made it to a Final Four.
Traevon Jackson may not ever play in the NBA for 14 seasons, or win the College Player of the Year, but he is creating his own basketball legacy within the Jackson family. It is great to see a player with the character and work ethic succeed on a high level.
I would like to wish Jackson and the Badgers good luck in the Final Four. Keep making your family proud, and way to represent the 614.
