User:Carlagardbooks/Jumpin jackie jackson

Jumpin Jackie Jackson Born January 25th, 1940 New Bern, North Carolina

One of the first streetball legends in the famed Rucker Playground Basketball Tournaments in New York City in the early 60's. Went on to a 20 year career with the Harlem Globetrotters. Earned his nickname from snatching a quarter from the top of a basketball backboard on a bet.

Born in New Bern, North Carolina, his family relocated to Brooklyn, NY as a child. He played for the famed Boy's High basketball team after Basketball Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens and with baseball player Tommy Davis. His childhood teammate was Connie Hawkins.

He played for Virginia Union College Basketball team in which his tremendous leaping ability took off. He averaged over 20 rebounds per game and was known for jumping over the defender's head on fast breaks. He was the CIAA freshman of the year in 1958.

During the summertime, he played on the Brooklyn All Star team in the Rucker Park Tournament in the 60's featuring his childhood friend Connie Hawkins and New York Knick Walt Bellamy. He built his legendary playground status by dunking over Wilt Chamberlain and also blocking his finger roll in the same game.

He was selected number 41 in the 1962 draft, but was personally recruited by Abe Saperstein, owner of the Harlem Globetrotters to play for them. He played with the Harlem Globetrotters for 20 years with Marques Haynes, Meadowlark Lemon, and Fred "Curly" Neal.

He is a member of Boys High Hall of Fame, Virginia Union Hall of Fame (number also retired), CIAA Hall of Fame, Rucker Tournament Hall of Fame, and Harlem Globetrotters Hall of Fame.

Works Cited Batchelor, Bob. Basketball in America: from the playgrounds to Jordan's game and beyond. NY Halworth. 2005

Mallozzi, Vincent. Asphalt Gods An Oral History of the Rucker Tournament. USA Doubleday. 2003

The Original Harlem Globetrotters. Jackie Jackson. 2010

Virginia Union Panthers Official Athletic Website. Hall of Fame Jackie Jackson Class of 1961. December 19, 2010

Wolf, David. Foul The Connie Hawkins Story. NY. Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 1972