Around Campus

Tiffany Jackson: Making an Impressive Debut

The very first thing you hear about hailed 6-3 freshman Tiffany Jackson is Texas head coach Jody Conradt comparing her to the legendary Clarissa Davis. UT fans remember watching Davis play and many regard her as the very best. Never doubt a Hall of Famer, because Tiffany Jackson continues to impress fans - and foes - each game.

At this rate, Jackson may very well be one of the most talented to put on the Longhorn uniform. She has blossomed into the Longhorns' second-highest scorer and top rebounder not as a starter, but by coming off the bench as the team's "sixth-man".

As a high school star in Duncanville, Jackson, nicknamed "Tree" by her teammates due to her height advantage, earned almost every accolade available to high school basketball stars. Prior to the 2003 season, she was tabbed the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year. With such honors undoubtedly come tremendous expectations and an equally large amount of hype.

Jackson, however, is living up to these preseason expectations. By coming off the bench, she has created a unique niche for herself on the team, and Conradt repeatedly refers to her as "one of the biggest momentum-changers we've had in our program in a long, long time".

As a First Team All-American at Duncanville High, she lead her squad to the 2003 Texas Class 5A State title, and the role of the sixth-man was unfamiliar to Jackson. She has fulfilled this role, however, with continually strong performances each time she steps onto the floor.

"It was a little different for me at first to come off the bench, but this team has so much strength at each position and there is so much I can learn from each player, I just try to focus on getting better and helping the team out any way that I can", Jackson said.

The versatility of Jackson is what's important to the Longhorns – she can dominate when she is on the floor, playing in the low post, high post, or out on the wing. No matter where she is on the court, she hits the boards with tremendous power and tenacity.

Jackson's numbers speak for themselves. Through Jan. 20, she has played in all 17 games, with her lone start coming against No. 15 Oklahoma in place of Kala Bowers. The 6-3 rookie has put up the best stats among all Big 12 freshmen, and currently averages 12.1 PPG (second-best on the Longhorns' squad) and a team-high 7.9 rebounds per game. Jackson's also leads Texas in steals with 34. To date, Jackson has posted three double-doubles, and has earned two Big 12 Rookie of the Week awards.

Jackson believes the most difficult transition from the high school game to the collegiate hardwood is defense. "The players are so, so much better in college. I had to learn how to defend them differently. I used to be able to gamble more and try to get more blocked shots, but these players are so much quicker and much more agile," Jackson said.

When asked about her performance so far this season, Tiffany matter-of-factly states, "I just try to do what the coaches ask me to do. I don't really think that I have had an excellent over-all game, or done anything spectacular. I just know that every day I am learning new things from Stacy (Stephens), Heather (Schreiber), Jamie (Carey), Nina (Norman), from everyone, and that my game needs to improve."

Long-time fans of the Longhorns shake their collective heads at such a statement. With her strong start and high-light reel type moves, it is clear if Jackson continues to progress at the rate she's going, she will emerge as one of the most exciting players in the storied history of the Texas women's basketball program.

For the remaining Texas Women's basketball schedule go to TexasSports.com

NCAA Basketball Tournament

March 21 & 23

Tickets on Sale Now

The first and second rounds of the 2004 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship go through Austin on The University of Texas campus at the Frank Erwin Center. Tickets are available now at all Texas Box Office outlets, including H-E-B stores, charge-by-phone at 512/477-6060 or on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. Convenience charges may apply.  All information subject to change.