Player

High School: Reading, Class of 1973

College(s): Oregon, Seattle

Background: Jackson was the centerpiece of the 1973 Reading High team that is considered one of the best in Red Knight’s history. He led the Red Knights to a 72-12 overall record in his three seasons playing for Coach Jim Gano. He scored 38 points in the one point state title game loss to General Braddock in 1973. Stu scored 1,563 career points. The lefty 6-5 pivot player had an assortment of low post moves and a silky smooth 15 footer. He played collegiately at The University of Oregon and led the Ducks to a second place finish in the NIT. After suffering a severe knee injury in a motorcycle accident he transferred to Seattle University for his final season while surpassing 1,000 points for his collegiate career. He left a lucrative career with IBM to be an assistant coach and head recruiter under Coach Rick Pitino at Providence College from 1985-1987. Providence made an unpredictable run to the NCAA Final Four in 1987 under Pitino and Jackson. In 1989, Jackson was named the head coach of the New York Knicks at the age of 33, then the 2nd youngest coach in the NBA. He was the head coach at the University of Wisconsin from 1992-1994. He was the president and general manager of the NBA’s Vancouver Grizzlies for the franchise’s first six seasons and served as interim coach for 39 games in 1997. In 2007, Stu became the executive VP of basketball operations of the NBA. He is currently the Associate Commissioner of the Big East Conference. He was inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.