UC's Justin Jackson signs to play in Greece
Bill Koch, bkoch@enquirer.com 4:31 p.m. EDT August 3, 2014


Justin Jackson (5) (Photo: Enquirer file)

Former University of Cincinnati center Justin Jackson has signed to play professionally in Greece next season.

Jackson, the Defensive Player of the Year in the American Athletic Conference as a senior in 2013-14, will play for AE Ne Kifisia Dimoulas Athens in the Greet Basket League. He leaves Aug. 21.

"They know I can play defense and that I have the potential to shoot the ball and be a good offensive player," Jackson said. "They want me to attack the rim and just play my game. They like what I bring to the court."

Jackson played in both the Portsmouth Invitational for NBA prospects and was on the Charlotte Hornets' entry in the Las Vegas Summer League. He did well in Portsmouth but was not drafted and did not get much playing time in Vegas.

He averaged 11.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocked shots for UC last season.

"I wasn't worried about getting drafted," Jackson said. "I was just worried about getting a job and that's what I did."

Travis King, Jackson's agent, said he didn't expect Jackson to get drafted because at 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, he's undersized for an NBA power forward.

"I think he's going to do extremely well over there," King said. "He just needs an opportunity. I think he's got an opportunity to be an NBA player one day. He's just got to really work on his body. A lot of teams don't see him right now as a typical four man in the NBA."

King said the Greek team likes Jackson's "defensive intensity, his ability to finish around the bucket and to guard multiple positions." King would not disclose financial terms of the one-year contract.

"It's going to be fun," Jackson said. "I hear it's a beautiful place."

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../13546805/

That's a really good fit league-wise for JJ. Greece or the Adriatic League were the only two I saw his play style really fitting in at all.

I can think of worse things than paying pro basketball in Greece.

Good for him. No reason he can't have a really nice career overseas and make some damn good money along the way.

Good luck to Jumpin' Jack.

I think he will be a fan favorite for the same reasons we loved him and he will make a lot of money and play over seas for a lot of years. Best of luck!

I'm happy for Justin Jackson and hopefully he will have a long career. Greek women are beautiful and he will have a lot a fun.

I Hope he saves half of what he earns so he has a great future

Looks like Rubles has signed with a team in Iceland:

Guido Guida @GuidoGuida: Rookie signings - 6-7 forward Titus Rubles (Cincinnati '14) signed for Keflavik (Iceland)

Write-up on their team site (not translated): http://www.keflavik.is/karfan/deildin/fr...avik/9890/

Hopefully, SK gets a training camp invite. Haven't seen anything on Nyarsuk.

I would love to visit Iceland.

Not so sure about living/working there, but hey, now is the time to try it while you are young.

(08-18-2014 07:46 AM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  I would love to visit Iceland.

Not so sure about living/working there, but hey, now is the time to try it while you are young.

Been there..land of 1 million blond beauties..

(08-18-2014 07:46 AM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  I would love to visit Iceland.

Not so sure about living/working there, but hey, now is the time to try it while you are young.

If you go, Make sure you stay far away from Wolf "The Dentist" Stansson. I heard he once punched out his own coach

(08-18-2014 07:46 AM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  I would love to visit Iceland.

Not so sure about living/working there, but hey, now is the time to try it while you are young.

Been there, the COL is high. Warm up in the hot springs. The place is basically one big volcanic area. They pump hot spring water into all houses like we do natural gas to heat the houses.