Jamel Jackson, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound shooting guard who committed to Seton Hall from Technical Career Institutes in Manhattan, is not enrolled at Seton Hall for “academic reasons” and remains “wide open” on his college choice, according to TCI coach Pernell Hosier.
“It’s for academic reasons,” Hosier said Thursday by phone. “There are grades that he obtained over the summer session that Seton Hall doesn’t accept, a C- and a D, that leave him two credits short to be eligible.”
Hosier said Jackson was back at TCI and will spend this year there, and then could pick another school if he chooses.
“He’s back enrolled at TCI again,” he said. “He’s back here and waiting to see what will happen the following year. He could open it up (for college). Right now he’s committed mind, body and soul, he wants to be there (at Seton Hall). Being that he’s back in the junior college level again, he’s open for recruiting.
“He could sign (at Seton Hall) again but Coach (Bobby) Gonzalez would have to recruit him. That’s a decision that the coaching staff would have to make. That’s something that they’ll have to decide upon.
“In the meantime he’s open for everyone.”
Jackson was the 2005 New York Post Player of the Year out of Brooklyn Lincoln, where he played alongside Sebastian Telfair, now with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jackson was also named the 2008 NJCAA Region XV Player of the Year, averaging 24.5 points per game.
His departure leaves the Pirates with eight eligible players, as they await the status of 6-11 big man Melvyn Oliver, who has yet to hear from the NCAA Clearinghhouse.
Transfers Keon Lawrence and Herb Pope are also looking to receive NCAA “hardship waivers” that would allow them to suit up this year. REad the full story on that here.
Coach Gonzalez has not had walk-ons during his first two years on the job, but it might be time to consider bringing some aboard. Pope and Lawrence will be able to practice with the team, giving them 10 practice players, 11 if Oliver is cleared.
Still, with an injury or two, such as the knee injury that took Paul Gause out last year, would deplete the roster to 6 or 7. Time to add some walk-ons.
PhishingPirate / September 18, 2008
Another bleak out look on the season. It was looking good for awhile and a fair/good season looked to be in reach. Adam is it even possible to play a Big East sched. with 8 players? Is there any word as if Bobby G. and staff are are worried about this? Is there any type of plan that could get bodies on the team for the ’08-’09 season? Thanks alot. Go Harvey!
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Adam Zagoria / September 18, 2008
I think Coach Gonzalez has to seriously consider adding a few walk-ons, which he hasn’t had in his first two seasons. Pope and Lawrence can still practice, giving the team 10 practice players, 11 if Oliver is cleared. Still, with an injury or two, such as what happened last year to Paul Gause, the team would be down to 6 or 7 scholarship players. St. John’s had a similar situation a few years back, and ended up relying on walk-ons. Those players could end up helping out. Rutgers has given scholarships to walk-ons in previous years.
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shupat08 / September 21, 2008
so, when can we hire Kerry Keating?
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