Andre’s still a giant back in Albany
— A small crowd waited Albany, N.Y. for junior Andre Jackson on Thursday afternoon inside MVP Arena. Some fans called out his name.
Jackson stopped to sign autographs and pose for photos on his way off the court after UConn’s practice. He’s a popular guy here.
His family lives about 10 minutes away from the arena. He’s wellknown from his playing days at Albany Academy and grew up in nearby Amsterdam. His brother, Marcus, plays at the University of Albany.
The Andre Jackson fan club is expected to turn out in big numbers for fourth-seeded UConn’s first round game against No. 13 Iona today.
“It’s awesome, being able to be around my family and also my friends,” Jackson said. “Just being in a place that’s really familiar is awesome.”
Brian Fruscio, Jackson’s former coach at Albany, plans to attend. He has a close relationship with the family.
“It’s a big deal,” Fruscio said about Jackson’s homecoming game, “because not everyone gets over to Storrs and UConn really doesn’t play anybody closer than St. John’s.
I know there was an excitement with people from the area that had Big East tournament tickets.
“So, for it to be right at home, I’m sure when his name gets announced in the starting lineup you’ll hear a little bit louder buzz than normal.”
Always blessed athletically, Jackson grew into a Division I prospect at Albany Academy. His games drew big crowds and created a buzz.
“His junior and senior year, our gym was packed for every home game,” Fruscio said. “I don’t know if anyone was watching the game because their phones were out. They were trying to capture some highlights. … That’s the type of following he has.”
Jackson credits Fruscio for helping him develop as a player and a person.
“I was just a basketball player,” Jackson said. “When I got there, he turned me into a winner. He showed me how to be a part of a culture. He showed me all the little things that you’ve got to do to win a game. And he showed me that basketball is bigger than just myself.
“And I had to sacrifice a lot playing for him and I learned a lot of stuff from him. I talk to him every day, really. He’s always hitting me up before games, just giving me confidence and just checking on me. He’s like a father figure to me, honestly.”
Fruscio, who now coaches at Canterbury School in New Milford, got emotional when told about Jackson’s kind words. “He’s such a beautiful person,” Fruscio said. “He has a lot of people rooting for him from any of his stops, whether it be growing up in Amsterdam, his four years at Albany Academy, his countless basketball camps, our camp included.
“... He has the Albany City Rocks (AAU team) and coach Jim Hart, that whole family rooting for him. That’s the real neat part of Andre. It’s a tribute to his kindness. It’s a tribute to his awareness of accepting that responsibility of people wanting to be around his great personality.”
Jackson also has had a big impact on the Huskies.
“He’s just a throwback, man, that only cares about UConn basketball,” coach Dan Hurley said. “I don’t want him to want it so bad tomorrow for us and for his teammates and for the program that he can’t go out and perform because, when he’s at his best, he’s such a unique and exciting player.”