Cedric Lamar Jackson (born March 5, 1986) is an American former professional basketball player. He played two years of college basketball for Cleveland State University, where he made a notable game-winning full-court shot against Syracuse and helped the Vikings past Wake Forest in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
As a pro, Jackson made a name for himself playing for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). Over four seasons with the Breakers, he guided the club to four grand final appearances and three championships. He was crowned the NBL's Most Valuable Player in 2013, garnered Grand Final MVP honors in 2013 and 2015, and was named to the All-NBL First Team in 2012, 2013 and 2015. He led the NBL in assists in each of his four seasons with the Breakers, becoming the only player in NBL history to lead the league in assists in his first four seasons in the league.
High school and college career
As a high school freshman living in Medical Lake, Washington, Jackson attended Medical Lake High School in 2000–01, where he steered the Cardinals to within a point of a trip to the state tournament. He was enrolled as a sophomore at Ferris High before his Air Force-obligated family moved east. Jackson subsequently enrolled at Northern Burlington County Regional High School in Columbus, New Jersey. He was a first-team all-state selection his senior year among other selections and averaged 26 points per game.
Jackson began his collegiate career at St. John's University in Queens, New York. On April 4, 2006, it was announced that Jackson was transferring from St. John's to Cleveland State. His decision was based in part on a desire for more playing time. After sitting out the 2006–07 season due to NCAA transfer regulations, Jackson starred at Cleveland State, helping them make two straight postseason appearances in 2008 and 2009. In 71 games for the Vikings over two seasons, Jackson averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.8 steals per game.
Professional career
NBA, D-League and Italy (2009–11) After going undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft, Jackson joined the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League for the 2009–10 season. In 34 games, he averaged 16.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Between January and April, Jackson had multiple stints in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards. In 12 NBA games during the 2009–10 season, Jackson averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 assists per game.
After spending preseason with the Cavaliers, Jackson re-joined the BayHawks for the 2010–11 season. On December 29, 2010, he was traded by Erie to the Idaho Stampede. In 50 games during the 2010–11 season, Jackson averaged 13.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
On April 18, 2011, Jackson signed with Italian team Enel Brindisi. He played two games for Brindisi, totalling 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
New Zealand Breakers (2011–13) On August 12, 2011, Jackson signed with the New Zealand Breakers for the 2011–12 NBL season. He helped the Breakers win the minor premiership with a 21–7 record before guiding them to the NBL Grand Final, where they defeated the Perth Wildcats 2–1. Jackson was the club's MVP, finished fourth in the NBL MVP voting, and was named in the All-NBL First Team. Jackson also led the league in both assists (6.4) and steals (2.5) per game during the regular season.
After playing for the San Antonio Spurs during the 2012 NBA Summer League, Jackson re-signed with the Breakers for the 2012–13 NBL season in August. On November 30, 2012, Jackson recorded his first career triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against the Melbourne Tigers. It was only the second triple-double recorded since the NBL went to 40-minute games at the start of the 2009–10 season. On February 5, 2013, Jackson was named Player of the Week for Round 17, picking up his fourth NBL weekly award of the season. On March 24, Jackson was named the NBL's Most Valuable Player for the 2012–13 season. He also earned All-NBL First Team honors for the second straight year, and led the league in assists (7.1) and steals (2.8) for the second straight year. The Breakers were minor premiers once again with a 24–4 record before returning to the NBL Grand Final, where Jackson won his second championship with a 2–0 defeat of the Wildcats. Jackson subsequently earned Grand Final MVP honors.