Did Stephen Jackson Get Drafted Out of High School?

Stephen Jackson achieved an NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003 and was known for his clutch playoff performances, including a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors' 2007 playoff run and his overall career contributions across multiple teams. One of the more curious parts of Jackson's journey is his draft history, specifically, whether he was an entry directly out of high school, or attended college before getting drafted. This piece will dig into Stephen Jackson's basketball career, the context surrounding his NBA draft selection, along with its implications for being drafted out of high school or after a collegiate career.

Basketball Career Of Stephen Jackson

High School Background

Stephen Jesse Jackson was born on April 5, 1978, in Houston, Texas. He attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Port Arthur, Texas, before transferring to Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson). Jay was a 1996 Second-team Parade All-American and McDonald's all-American nominee in basketball by his Junior year.

College Background

Jackson signed with the University of Arizona during last fall's early signing period, but he was deemed ineligible to play and spent a semester at community college without playing basketball. The following year, the Phoenix Suns picked him in round two of the 1997 NBA Draft, and his career as a professional basketballer began.

The NBA Draft Selection

Draft Year and Position

Jackson was the Phoenix Suns' second-round pick (42nd overall) in the 1997 NBA Draft. The sweet-shooting Lekker man was inducted into the infamous 2005 NBA draft, one of the youngest players to enter the league during its controversial prep-to-pro era.

Impact and Significance

Stephen Jackson was picked in the NBA draft, a landmark movement after high school. It labeled him a pioneer in an era when more and more players were immediately going from high school to the NBA. He proved to many that young, talented players could go straight from high school or play one year in college before heading into the NBA because of what he did on the court.

The road from high school to the NBA for Stephen Jackson was a testament to his talent and dedication. Being drafted this way may be a turning point for his career and potentially keep the "prep-to-pro" pathway of being discussed regularly with up-and-coming young basketball players. Jackson, a well-known and highly motivational presence within the NBA today, still finds himself at the center of conversations regarding how high school phenoms like him should be treated as professional basketball unicorns.

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