Jackson's Increased Confidence Boosts Seminoles

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Twice in his last four games, Florida State's Chandler Jackson has established a new career-high for points scored. First it was 17 points against Virginia on February 10, then on Tuesday against Boston College he totaled 19 points as a starter in the Seminoles' 84-76 win over the Eagles.

Just one day removed from his 20^th birthday, Jackson scored his career-high of 19 points with two rebounds and a career-high tying three steals in Florida State's victory over Boston College. In just the second start of his career, Jackson made seven of his 10 shots from the field (.700 percent), two of his three shots from long distance (.667 percent) and three of his four free throw attempts (.750 percent).

Jackson has scored in double figures in three of Florida State's last five games and enters Saturday's game at Clemson having scored a single-season career-high 137 points and averaging a career-high 5.7 points per game. He has scored in double-figures more times (four) in 24 games this season than he did in 29 games as a freshman (two). During his Seminole career, he has scored in double figures five times – with each of his double-figure scoring games in his career coming in ACC play (10 against Miami and North Carolina as a freshman and 14 against Georgia Tech, 10 against North Carolina, 17 against Virginia, and 19 against Boston College as a sophomore).

Jackson and the Seminoles travel to play at Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum on Saturday in a game slated for a 7:45 p.m. tip-off. The game will be televised by The CW.

So, what's changed for the affable sophomore majoring in Social Science?

"What has helped Chandler, is not having the point guard responsibilities as much as we anticipated when he first got here," said Head Coach Leonard Hamilton. "He has the ability to score. He's a big, strong guy, and you can't leave him open. He takes contact and finishes around the basket. He also has a burst of speed that allows him to accelerate and move past people.

"He's also a much better athlete that you might think. Whenever he's in a crowd, it seems that he always comes away with the ball."

Jackson has always had a knack for scoring.

As a senior at Christian Brothers High School in his hometown Memphis, Jackson averaged a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds and was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Tennessee. He averaged 18.5 points as a junior as he led Christian Brothers to a 22-1 record and a state championship.

He averaged 3.6 points in 29 games as a freshman and is averaging 5.7 points in 23 games as a sophomore at Florida State.

"I've grown more confident at the urging of my teammates," said Jackson of his recent scoring burst. "Our coaching staff has helped my confidence by teaching me be more consistent in everything I do both on and off the court."

In his last five games, Jackson has scored 56 points and is averaging 11.2 points scored per game. He has scored in double figures three times and is shooting .710 from the field (22 of 31) with seven field goals made against Virginia and Boston College. Jackson is shooting nearly 80 percent from the free throw line since January 27 against North Carolina.

"I would say what's working best for me right now is getting down hill and getting to my spots on the court," said Jackson. "If I continue to do that, everything else on the offensive side of the court opens up for me and my teammates."

Not only is Jackson playing well offensively, but he's helping the Seminoles on the defensive end of the court.

He totaled three of Florida State's 10 steals on Tuesday against Boston College and has 18 steals in his first 24 games – just one fewer steal than he earned his entire freshman season. Jackson's efforts on the defensive end of the court has helped the Seminoles rank either first or second in the ACC and on a school record pace for steals in a season (9.3 spg).

"I've become a better basketball player during my first two years at Florida State under Coach Ham and his staff," said Jackson. "I think some of my improvement is just me telling myself that I can compete in the ACC and at a high level of basketball. I know that I can go out and be effective every night if I put my mind to it."

Hamilton, the 22^nd year Seminole Head Coach, agrees.

"Chandler is making much better decisions," said Hamilton following Tuesday's victory. "I don't think he forced anything tonight, and he definitely had an impact on the game."

Jackson's impact on the Seminoles grows as he continues to learn the nuances of the Florida State system. His impact is certainly illustrated by his increased statistics this season as compared to his first year in Tallahassee.

He has already played more minutes, made more field goals, more free throws, and has scored more points in five fewer games. He's established career-high statistics for points, rebounds, steals, field goals and 3-point field goals made in a game. Jackson is shooting better than 48 percent from the field (as compared to just over 40 percent as a freshman) and nearly 78 percent from the free throw line (as compared to 76 percent as a freshman) and he made just as many 3-point shots already this season as he did as a freshman (12).

"I am looking to score more for our team within the flow of the game," said Jackson. "That opens up everything for my teammates, and we are more successful when we are all playing at our highest levels."

Jackson says that the main thing he has improved on this season is certainly his confidence.

"It all starts with my confidence," said Jackson. "But I'm not going to lie, the basket looks pretty big to me right now."

Jackson's Increased Confidence Boosts Seminoles

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Chandler Jackson

Florida State University Athletics