Mark Jackson (2021) - Hall of Fame - St. John's University Athletics

Mark Jackson

Induction:
2021
Class:
1987

One of the most prolific point guards in St. John's Basketball history, Mark Jackson was a four-year letterwinner from 1983-87 under Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca. The program's career assists leader with 728, Jackson helped lead St. John's to four-straight NCAA Tournaments, including a berth in the 1985 Final Four. The Brooklyn native currently ranks ninth on the career steals lists (174) and 25^th on the career scoring list (1,328). Jackson is the only player in program history to record more than 1,200 points and 600 assists.

A two-time First Team All-BIG EAST selection in 1986 and 1987, Jackson owns the St. John's record with 131 career appearances. After a stellar freshman campaign in 1983-84, he was named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team, dishing out 108 assists while shooting a career-best 57.5 percent from the field in 30 games. In 1984-85 as a sophomore, Jackson was instrumental in St. John's run to the Final Four, as he recorded 109 assists and finished second on the team with a 56.4 field goal percentage.

Jackson emerged as one of the premier point guards in the nation during his junior season in 1985-86, dishing out a then-NCAA record 328 assists, which currently stands as the seventh-highest single-season total in NCAA Division I history. His 150 assists in BIG EAST games were a league record, and he also averaged 11.3 points per game. Jackson was named an Honorable Mention Associated Press All-American that year after helping lead St. John's to its second BIG EAST Tournament title.

During his senior season, Jackson was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and was selected All-America Second Team by the Associated Press, UPI and Basketball Weekly. He was also a co-recipient of the Haggerty Award, presented to the top player in the metropolitan area, after averaging 18.9 points and 6.4 assists as a senior in 1986-87.

A first round draft pick by the New York Knicks in 1987, Jackson went on to a successful NBA career playing for the Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets. Jackson currently ranks fourth on the NBA's career assists list with 10,334 to go with 12,489 points and 4,963 rebounds.