Rancho Solano Prep senior forward Nikc Jackson has seen more of the world than many adults. Born in Italy, the smooth 6-foot-8 forward lived in Japan before returning to the United States with his military family. After playing last season at Tucson Sunnyside, the Jackson’s moved to the Valley following his dad’s retirement. Nikc, an Air Force commit, has thrived in his new environment both on and off the floor.
“So far I’ve loved it here,” Jackson said to Sports360AZ.com after a recent game. “It’s been crazy going from a 6A school at Sunnyside to a 2A school. I think the smaller class sizes have been really good. I’ve done a lot better [academically] at Rancho Solano. The people here have been great, as well.”
Powerhouse Hoops @N_Jackson07 w/ 33pts in the @RS_Mustangs Win Today @MonarchSportsAZ Visit Mesa Basketball Challenge#NeverStops@azc_obert @J_Becker1 @GreggRosenberg1 @coach_cboswell @STtix3 @PHHNEVERSTOPS @powerhouse_520 pic.twitter.com/jDfydcwBco
— POWERHOUSE HOOPS (@PowerhouseHoops) December 30, 2017
On the court Jackson has picked up where he left off last year in Tucson. He leads the 13-3 Mustangs in points per game (15.9), rebounds (nine), blocks (1.6) and steals (1.5). He’s also served as a stabilizing presence for his young teammates.
“He’s just a really, really good kid who’s clicked with our guys,” Rancho head coach Aaron Trigg explained to Sports360AZ.com. “There’s no ego there. It’s just all about working hard and getting better and trying to find ways to win.”
Trigg believes his star’s biggest improvement has come on defense, helping not only in the post but the perimeter, as well.
@RS_Mustangs @AF_MBB commit @N_Jackson07 with the steal and the flush. @PrepHoopsAZ @overtime @PowerhouseHoops @PrepHoopsMI pic.twitter.com/fqGxUEq0os
— STtix (@STtix3) December 13, 2017
Jackson, who gets his unique first name spelling from his mother Nikcole, is living in the present but has his eye on the future. He hopes to one day become a surgeon.
“Eventually the basketball is going to stop bouncing,” the eloquent Jackson said. “It’s what you do after that that really matters. I like medicine. Surgery is something that seems really interesting.”You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more interesting teenager than Jackson.
Something tells me the best is yet to come.
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.