Cedric Jackson

Cedric Jackson

Jackson just played his second consecutive season with the New Zealand Breakers, who play in Australia's NBL. He led the league in assists (6.9apg) and steals (2.8spg), added 14.6ppg and 5.9 rpg, won two titles and an MVP award, and was an all-star this season. Jackson's size, athleticism and defense are NBA calibre, and although it's been three years since he played in the NBA, he continues to improve. His passing vision and ability to run an offense are all there - Jackson drives and kicks, and, in theory, this is a good thing on a Heat roster lined with shooters. His own shot, however, continues to let him down. Indeed, his free throw stroke is getting worse - Jackson shot only 54% from the line this season.

Cedric Jackson - After failing to make the Cavaliers roster out of training camp, Jackson returned to the D-League for another season with the Cavs' affiliate, Erie BayHawks. He was averaging 12.1 points, 6.6 assists and 2.1 steals through the BayHawks's first 14 games, before he was traded to the Idaho Stampede. (It probably hurts to get traded to another city when you're only earning $25,000.) Jackson has played 2 games. He is a good defensive player, yet Jackson's offense appears not to have progressed much over the summer, and he turns 25 in March. Nevertheless, Jackson played for three NBA teams last year, his first professional season, and is firmly on the radar.

Cleveland State graduate Jackson spent some time with the Cavaliers last season on a couple of 10 day contracts. He also played briefly with the Spurs, before finishing out the season with the Wizards. What he did to earn time with three different teams is not immediately obvious; it's not meant disrespectfully, but Jackson is not an NBA calibre player offensively. He was averaging only 10ppg at Cleveland State, and was shooting less than 28% from three point range in the D-League before his call-up. Jackson is a good defender who is willing to rebound, with good size for a point guard and skills in transition, but he's not a half court point guard. And Cleveland could kind of use one right now, since no other players on the team at any position have much half-court ability. Not since that guy left.

- Cedric Jackson * - Washington rescinded Jackson's qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent. He may still go to training camp with the team, however. And even if he doesn't make the roster, he's so close to the NBA that a return to the D-League looks both inevitable and correct.

Cedric Jackson - In a completely unexpected turn of events, undrafted Cleveland State point guard Cedric Jackson played for three different NBA teams last year; the Cavaliers, the Spurs and the Wizards. The Wizards then extended him a QO at the season's end, although they later retracted it. Jackson is a good defensive point guard who also chips in with the rebounding, yet his own offense (jumpshot especially) is not particularly good, and he turns the ball over far too much. He might make it back into the NBA next year, or alternatively, he might go the Bobby Jones route and play for a hundred million different teams......in one season.