Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis

Joe Jackson committed to Memphis as expected Friday, meaning Josh Pastner now has two top 10 recruits from the Class of 2010 despite the fact that he's still yet to coach his first game.

"I wanted to stay in the city and be a part of the Memphis tradition," Jackson said at a makeshift press conference held outside of the Finch Center practice facility on the University of Memphis campus. "I'm excited."

Jackson is a 5-foot-11 point guard from White Station High in Memphis. The National Hoops Report ranks him No. 9 in the Class of 2010. Will Barton, a 6-5 guard from Baltimore, is the other elite prospect already committed to Memphis. The National Hoops Report ranks him No. 6 in the Class of 2010.

Worth noting: Rivals.com updated its school rankings Friday. It listed Memphis' class of Joe Jackson, Will Barton and Antonio Barton (yes, they're brothers) as the nation's third-best class, behind only Ohio State's and Syracuse's.

Also worth noting: Among the people who attended Jackson's press conference was Tarik Black, a 6-7 forward from Ridgeway High in Memphis. Rivals.com ranks him as the 47th-best prospect in the Class of 2010. He's uncommitted and still considering a number of schools -- among them Memphis, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Alabama.

Jackson's commitment means six of the National Hoops Report's top 10 prospects are now committed.

Here's an updated list:

1. Harrison Barnes (uncommitted)
2. Perry Jones (committed to Baylor )
3. Brandon Knight (uncommitted)
4. Jared Sullinger (committed to Ohio State )
5. Fab Melo (committed to Syracuse )
6. Will Barton (committed to Memphis )
7. Reggie Bullock (committed to North Carolina )
8. Adreian Payne (uncommitted)
9. Joe Jackson (committed to Memphis )
10. Tony Mitchell (uncommitted)

Sour much? You want your coach back? If he was still with you all he would still be the savior for you and you all wouldn't care about any allegations.
blaborio, how was any of that post sour? It was mentioned that Pastner was proving to be a recruiter on par with Cal. And you know what? So far, he is. I wish Kentucky fans would allow Tiger fans to use Coach Cal's name without automatically assuming we're damning him or we're sour. Believe it or not, most of us have moved on. He was the coach for 9 years, though, so we are still going to invoke his name every now and then. :)
All that being said, Pastner has done everything right so far. From his appearances in the community to his recruiting, he has proven the equal of the previous coach. The biggie is about to come: Can he coach as well as Cal? This would be the time to point out some obvious flaws in Cal's resume. but I don't want to get anyone angry.

TigerDogger Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 20, 2009	Posted on: September 12, 2009 10:02 am Score: 88 Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis Hmmmmm.... It may be a little early to say this, but this recruiting class is starting to shape up as the best ever for Memphis. Pastner is proving to be as formidable a recruiter as Calipari ever was. Yes, things are getting very interesting. If Pastner can coach anything like he can recruit, then Memphis is back in the final four within two years! Go Tigers!! [ Reply to Comment ]
blaborio Reputation: 90 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 1, 2006	Posted on: September 12, 2009 10:15 am Score: 87 Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis Hmmmm..... Sour much? You want your coach back? If he was still with you all he would still be the savior for you and you all wouldn't care about any allegations. And this is his 2ND commit. Why don't you slow it down on the hype train on Pastner? Let's see how these recruits play, because there very few done deal superstar recruits. [ Reply to Comment ]
TigerJeff823 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 23, 2009	Posted on: September 12, 2009 11:52 am Score: 134 Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis Sour much? You want your coach back? If he was still with you all he would still be the savior for you and you all wouldn't care about any allegations. blaborio, how was any of that post sour? It was mentioned that Pastner was proving to be a recruiter on par with Cal. And you know what? So far, he is. I wish Kentucky fans would allow Tiger fans to use Coach Cal's name without automatically assuming we're damning him or we're sour. Believe it or not, most of us have moved on. He was the coach for 9 years, though, so we are still going to invoke his name every now and then. :) All that being said, Pastner has done everything right so far. From his appearances in the community to his recruiting, he has proven the equal of the previous coach. The biggie is about to come: Can he coach as well as Cal? This would be the time to point out some obvious flaws in Cal's resume. but I don't want to get anyone angry. [ Reply to Comment ]
jamammy Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 15, 2009	Posted on: September 12, 2009 1:48 pm Score: 72 Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis Hardworking Joe Jackson makes it official, now the flood gates are open. It's hard work, baby. Go Tigers!!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
MandoTime Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 29, 2008	Posted on: September 12, 2009 8:28 pm Score: 95 Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis I had a chance to see Jackson at the Tennessee High School state tournament. He is definitely a special player. He plays taller than 5'11 and joins a list of very, very impressive point guards from Memphis' past. [ Reply to Comment ]
UofM4years Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 15, 2007	Posted on: September 13, 2009 3:06 pm Score: 112 Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis This year we had John Wall and Xavier Henry locked up, and it was pretty frustrating when that didn't happen. It's nice to see, though, that Josh has brought us right back into the Top 5 in the recruiting world with his first recruiting class -- and only the first 3 of them! Things are definitely on the way up for Memphis, plus we're no longer walking around with an NCAA bullseye on our backs because of anyone on our basketball staff. That, in itself, is a huge relief. GO TIGERS! [ Reply to Comment ]
Bsquared-2 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 16, 2009	Posted on: September 14, 2009 9:58 am Score: 80 Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis Sour much? You want your coach back? Ha! Uh...no. We'll let Pastner take it from here thanks. [ Reply to Comment ]
bigk72 Reputation: 90 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 28, 2006	Posted on: September 14, 2009 10:13 am Score: 34 Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis F - cal and Go PASTNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
gthomp Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 5, 2007	Posted on: September 14, 2009 12:10 pm Score: 72 Jackson makes it official, commits to Memphis None of the dumb Kentucky fans seem to realize that there are very few, if any, Memphis fans that would take Cal back now. He is yours and you are welcome to him. [ Reply to Comment ]
shaw20kc Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jul 25, 2009	Posted on: September 14, 2009 2:34 pm Score: 103 Not as good as Selby or Knight This is a no brainer for Joe Jackson to head to his hometown Tigers. It's a great pick-up for Pastner and the tigers and their recruiting class is shaping up nicely. With that said, another poster said the Tigers will be in the Final 4 within 2 years and I don't see that happening. Pastner is going to have to prove himself as a coach before Final 4's start appearing. Finally, I don't see Jackson as a top 20 player, but definitely Top 30. He is definitely behind Selby and Knight in this point guard class. [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

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