Will Jackson Feature

Will Jackson's nickname may be "Turtle" but the high school sophomore's basketball development and recruitment has been anything but slow. Jackson is a 6'4 point guard for Athens Christian School in Athens, GA. He jumped onto the Georgia high school scene last year and helped lead his team to a 30-3 record and Single A Championship runner up finish as a 14yr old Freshman.

Jackson who is rated as the #14 ranked player in the nation for ESPN's 2015 class has already been a part of USA basketball's developmental team. He receives attention from some of the top programs in the country. Athens Christian veteran coach Ron Link was called by a UNC assistant just last week. Alabama was at their region tournament and it's been a "who's who" list of schools that have inquired. It's that type of attention and interest that will only continue to climb. For young prospects, it can be very difficult to keep perspective, staying humble and hungry. Turtle says he really doesn't get caught up in the college stuff at this point. He believes "that will play itself out. I thank God for everything. I love the game. I keep dreaming and thanking God." Jackson will play again this summer with the GA Stars. He lists his summer goals as improving his strength and conditioning and making the Peach Jam.

As for this season, Turtle's confident in his sophomore heavy team that they can keep advancing. He turned in a triple-double in their opening round state playoff game against Mt. Pisgah. The 23pt, 14 assists, 12 rebound effort has been one that folks have almost come to expect from the young talent. Coach Link says, "The biggest plus with Turtle is he makes everyone else better around him." Athens Christian goes into tonight's match-up with North Cobb Christian who features multiple division one prospects. It will be a tall challenge but the mature Jackson talks like a coach when asked about the outlook on the upcoming game and state tournament. "My thoughts are the same as they have been all season. I will play my game, keep my team calm, play hard, and box out," he says. That mindset, and the skill set to go along with it have Coach Link saying, "I don't know if I have ever seen a kid that is better as a sophomore at his age." When watching someone of Jackson's ability play, one thing that jumps out is his unselfishness.  He gets a lot of help from fellow sophomore Demetrius McWhorter who averages 23ppg, 12.2rpg.  On the year, Turtle is averaging 26ppg, 10rpg, and 7apg.

Will Jackson was given his nickname before birth when the hospital did their ultrasound. Listening to his mother, Lorry, tell the story, she says William wanted to shake the name when they moved to Georgia when he was 5 years old and be known as William. However he kept introducing himself to people as Turtle, so it has stuck.

Don't be fooled by the nickname, this Turtle can play and continues to be a major force on the court.