Ray Jackson (basketball) facts for kids
Jackson in 1993 with the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team.
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| Shooting guard / small forward | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 13, 1973 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| High school | Lyndon B. Johnson (Austin, Texas) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Michigan (1991–1995) |
| NBA Draft | 1995 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 1995–2001 |
| Career history | |
| 1995–1997 | Grand Rapids Mackers |
| 1997–1998 | SIG Strasbourg |
| 1998–1999 | Grand Rapids Hoops |
| 1999–2000 | Obras Sanitarias |
| 2000–2001 | Grand Rapids Hoops |
| 2001 | Cocodrilos de Caracas |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Ray Jackson, born on November 13, 1973, is an American former professional basketball player. He is best known for being a member of the famous Fab Five team at the University of Michigan.
College Career
Ray Jackson was a key part of the amazing Fab Five team at the University of Michigan. This team also included future NBA players Chris Webber, Jimmy King, Jalen Rose, and Juwan Howard.
As freshmen and sophomores, the Fab Five reached the championship games in both the 1992 and 1993 NCAA tournaments.
Even though some team records were later changed, Ray Jackson was not involved in any issues. He was not found to have received any large amounts of money.
Ray Jackson and Jimmy King were the only two members of the Fab Five who stayed at Michigan for all four years. The other players left early to play professionally. Ray's best season at Michigan was his senior year, when he scored nearly 16 points per game.
Professional Basketball
Even though he was famous from the Fab Five, Ray Jackson was not chosen by an NBA team. He never played in the NBA. He tried out for the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons but was cut before the season started.
He was drafted by the Grand Rapids Hoops in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in 1995. While playing for the Hoops, he won the 1995–96 CBA Rookie of the Year Award. This award goes to the best new player in the league.
Ray also played basketball in other countries. He played in France for the Pro A team SIG Basket. He also played in Argentina for Obras Sanitarias, where he scored about 16 points per game. Later, he played in Venezuela for Cocodrilos de Caracas.
In 2007, Ray shared his feelings about his career. He said, "It took me a long time to get over the fact that I was the only one that didn't make it to the NBA from the Fab Five." But he added that he was happy with his life back home.
Life After Basketball
Today, Ray Jackson lives in Austin, Texas. He runs a moving company there. He also leads a non-profit group called Rise Up. This organization helps children with their social skills, education, and basketball abilities.
