The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
UConn freshman Jackson could return soon
Andre Jackson has been on UConn’s campus since the summer. He’s played in four games and has been an energetic cheerleader on the bench all season.
But UConn fans have yet to see the real Andre Jackson. That may be coming soon.
Dan Hurley hinted over a week ago that Jackson, who hasn’t played since breaking his wrist shortly before Christmas, could make his return on Saturday against Seton Hall. When Jackson does return, Hurley has promised to unleash the talented freshman.
“We’re going to throw him in there,” the UConn coach said last week. “When he gets in there, we’re going to give him the same opportunity to develop that we’re giving Adama (Sanogo). We’re going to invest in him.”
So, what should we expect to see from an unleashed Andre Jackson? Two people would know best: Brian Fruscio, his former high school coach, and August Mahoney, his high school teammate.
“You have an amazingly athletic young man who cares about winning, willing to make the extra pass, actually unselfish to a fault,” said Fruscio, who coached Jackson for four years at Albany Academy. “He understands roles, understands who should be shooting the ball each possession. He’s just a great teammate. He’s also an amazing defender, amazing rebounder. He’s put a lot of time in on his shot, which will continue to grow. But his intangibles are off the charts.”
And wait ’til you see him in the open floor.
“That’s his strength,” Fruscio added. “I don’t care what level, when he gets downhill, I’ve yet to see anybody be able to get in his way. He’s very, very, very special.”