Xplosion name Jaren Jackson head coach
Published on January 16, 2007 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Pittsburgh Xplosion News Release
PITTSBURGH, January 16, 2007 - The Pittsburgh Xplosion professional basketball team announced today that Jaren Jackson has been named head coach. Regarded as one of the most respected young minds in basketball, Jackson was the 2006 Continental Basketball Association Coach of the Year.
"We are excited to be able to obtain a person of Jaren's caliber to serve as our head coach," said Xplosion General Manager Freddie Lewis. "He is not only familiar with the CBA, but knows what it takes to play at the highest level. We lend Jaren our full support and know the remainder of the season will be productive under his guidance."
Jackson captured CBA Coach of the Year honors in 2006 after guiding the Gary Steelheads to the league finals in his first season with the team. The Steelheads won the Eastern Conference Championship with a record of 29-19 and concluded the regular season with a CBA-best 197 quarter points.
His coaching career began in 2003-04 as an assistant coach at his alma mater Georgetown University under Craig Esherick. After just one season with the Hoya program, he received his first professional head coaching job with the American Basketball Association's Philadelphia Fusion in 2004-05.
A winner at every level as a player, Jackson had a 13-year professional career that featured stints in the NBA, CBA and Europe from 1989-2002. The pinnacle of his career came in 1999 when he captured a World Championship as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. He played with nine different NBA teams and four CBA franchises, learning the game from legendary NBA coaches Larry Brown, Bill Fitch, Phil Jackson, Don Nelson, Greg Popovich and Flip Saunders.
A CBA veteran himself, Jackson reached the CBA finals with four different franchises. He captured league titles with the Wichita Falls Texans in 1991 and LaCrosse Catbirds in 1992. He also went back to the finals as a member of the Pittsburgh Piranhas in 1995 and the Fort Wayne Fury in 1996. In addition he won a title with the World Basketball League's Dayton Wings.
Collegiately he played under Basketball Hall of Famer John Thompson at Georgetown from 1985-89. He helped the Hoyas to a pair of Big East titles and four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He averaged 13.0 points as a senior.
"Jaren has been taught the game by some of the greatest coaches in basketball history," added team CEO Richard Hersperger. "We are certain his presence on the bench will make an immediate impact."
A native of New Orleans, La., Jackson founded the Back on the Block Foundation in his hometown in 1994. The program provided at-risk youth with entrepreneurial classes and instruction in tennis, golf, soccer and basketball.
The Xplosion return to the floor on Wednesday, January 17 at 7:35 PM against the Indiana Alley Cats at Mellon Arena. The game will be preceded by Fort Cherry versus Burgettstown High School at 5:00 PM. For more information call the Xplosion ticket office at (877) 410-9900 or visit www.pittsburghxplosion.com.
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from January 16, 2007
- CBA Transactions - CBA 1
- Xplosion name Jaren Jackson head coach - Pittsburgh Xplosion
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