November 14, 2007 - Rider Signs Top 200 Recruit

November 14, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Men’s College Basketball
Rider Signs Top-200 Recruit

LAWRENCEVILLE—In preparation for the graduation of one of the top college players in the nation, Rider University basketball coach Tommy Dempsey has signed one of the top high school players in the nation.

Jermaine Jackson, a senior at Reading (PA) High School, has signed a national letter of intent to further his education and basketball career at Rider, Dempsey announced today.

“Jermaine is a big recruit for us,” Dempsey said. “When you have a guy like Jason Thompson leaving your program, you can’t just take anybody to help replace him.”  Thompson is one of 50 Division I players to be listed on the 2007-08 pre-season Wooden Award watch list as early frontrunners for college basketball's most coveted trophy.

Jackson is ranked as one of the Top 200 high school players in the country by such national recruiting web sites at rivals.com and hoopscoop.com.  “Being one of the top 200 players in the country makes him one of the most highly touted recruits ever to come to Rider,” Dempsey said

The 6’8” left-handed forward chose Rider after taking unofficial visits to Rutgers and St. Joseph’s. “We targeted Jermaine early in the recruiting process and worked hard to convince him that Rider was the right place for him to grow as a person, student, and basketball player,” Dempsey said.

“He’s a combo forward who does a little bit of everything right now,” Dempsey added.  “He’s a pretty good shooter, he can score in the post, he drives the ball from the perimeter, and he rebounds the ball very well. His size and versatility are what makes him so attractive. I saw a lot of the same qualities when I was recruiting Jason. He will need to work hard at his game and get stronger if he is to reach his full potential.”

A two-time First Team All-Berks County selection, Jackson scored 13.9 points and grabbed 7.4 rebounds per game as a junior, leading Reading to a 22-8 season. He averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

“We’re really excited that he decided to make Rider his home for the next four years,” Dempsey said. “As a player he is a high-major athlete who our fans will be really enjoy watching play. He should have a great career.”

The Broncs are picked to finish fourth in the 10-team Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this season. The home opener is November 17 against Delaware, and the Broncs will spend Thanksgiving in Disney playing on ESPN at the Old Spice Classic.

-RU-