J.D. Jackson

John-David William "J.D." Jackson (born February 27, 1969) is a Canadian-French former professional basketball player and coach. His playing accomplishments include being the Canadian university ("CIAU") player of the year twice; a four-time CIAU All-Canadian; one of the highest scorers in CIAU history; and representing the Canadian national team in multiple international tournaments. As a coach in France's professional leagues, he has led multiple teams to championships, including the Coupe de France, the Leaders Cup

University Before playing for the University of British Columbia ("UBC"), Jackson played at the high school level for Vernon Secondary. Only seven other athletes have achieved this feat: David Coulthard (1979, 1981); Karl Tilleman (1982, 1983); Patrick Jebbison (1988, 1989); Eric Hinrichsen (1997, 1999); Osvaldo Jeanty (2006, 2007); Philip Scrubb (2012, 2013, 2014) and Kadre Gray (2018, 2019).

Jackson ranks 9th in CIAU history for all-time career points in regular season games, with 2,044 points. Only 17 other basketball players have been three-time First-Team All-Canadians. and a First-team Canada West All-star four times (1988, 1990, 1991, 1992).

In this, Jackson set many UBC records, including most career points; most points in a season; most points in a game (51); most career three-pointers made; most career free-throws made; most First-team All-Canadian recognitions (record shared with Ron Thorsen); and most First-team Canada West recognitions. In the last month of this season, Jackson led all UBC players in scoring, despite being a 17-year-old freshman.

University statistics

International Jackson played for the Canadian national team from 1987-1994. He played particularly well against Puerto Rico, where he was Canada's leading scorer with 20 points and also led Canada in assists. He also performed well against Argentina and Angola, where he was Canada's third-highest scorer in both games with 12 and 11 points, respectively. In the 1990 FIBA World Championship, Jackson was Canada's sixth overall scorer with 7.3 ppg.

In the 1987 FIBA World Championship for Junior Men, Jackson was Canada's fourth-leading scorer with 9.9 ppg. He performed well against Italy, where he led all Canadians with 19 points in their one-point win; in Canada's win over Puerto Rico, where Jackson scored 18 points; and in Canada's win over Brazil, where Jackson led Canada with 17 points.

Professional playing career Jackson had a successful professional career, primarily competing in France's Pro A and Pro B leagues.

Jackson began his professional career in Canada's World Basketball League, playing for the Halifax Windjammers in the 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 seasons. Under Jackson, Le Mans also were finalists in the Pro A League in 2010 and 2012.

In 2021, Jackson was an assistant coach for the Canadian senior men's national team for the FIBA America 2021 Qualifiers. Also in 2021, Jackson was hired as head coach for the Pro A League team BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque, but was later dismissed in 2022 when the team had a 3-6 record and ranked 14th of 18 teams in the Pro A League.

In 2023, Jackson was hired as head coach for the Pro B team Antibes Sharks, where he had played in the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons.

Post-career recognition Jackson has been inducted in the UBC Sports Hall of Fame (1998) and the BC Basketball Hall of Fame (2009).

Personal life Jackson was born in Burnaby, British Columbia on February 27, 1969. He grew up in Vernon, British Columbia where his father taught him how to play basketball.