It has been awhile since the city of Eugene, Ore. last heard from Luke Jackson. Aside from the occasional appearances at Duck home games, the former Duck and No. 10 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft has been under the radar in terms of keeping a tab on his alma mater. Besides making small stints with NBA D-League teams and signing 10-day contracts with multiple NBA teams, Jackson looks to be in a time of transition away from the game.
If you know anything about this town, it is that the people love and remember Jackson both as a player and a person. Jackson was well known for co-leading one of the best Ducks basketball teams of all-time during his four-year stay at the University of Oregon alongside his teammate, Luke Ridnour. The two created the duo known as “Luke & Luke” as they led the Ducks to a Pac-10 title in 2002 along with an Elite Eight finish in the NCAA Tournament that same year. Jackson was the centerpiece on an Oregon team that made McArthur Court one of the most revered college sporting arenas in the nation, and it was because of him that Ducks basketball truly began to gain recognition on a national level.
It is never easy for a player to give up his sneaks and move on to a life without basketball, but Jackson could become another great example of how a former player can rekindle his love for the game through coaching. Jackson has found that perfect combination of staying close at home while being involved with the game that has given him everything in life and this next Wednesday, the Creswell-native will be named the new head coach of the Northwest Christian Beacons as he trades in his Nikes for a suit. Jackson will not only mark a new era in Beacon basketball, but he will also begin a new chapter in his life as he transitions into a life outside of being a player.
Just as his humble beginnings in Cresswell led to an eventual NBA career, Jackson will once again have to start at the bottom. Despite Jackson having not coached a day in his life, he will begin his career as a coach with a Beacon team that boasted an overall record of 9-21, 3-15 in conference play this past season. The Beacons are still relatively young as they lose four seniors this season, but Jackson will definitely have his hands full as he makes his debut on the sideline as a head coach. Jackson may have thrived with a ball in his hands, but we will just have to wait and see what he can do with a whiteboard and marker in his hands instead.
For the full press release and further update on the hiring of Luke Jackson, check back here this Wednesday.