Tony Jackson (basketball, born 1942) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 7, 1942 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 28, 2005 (aged 62) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| High school | Thomas Jefferson (Brooklyn, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | St. John's (1958–1961) |
| NBA Draft | 1961 / Round: 3 / Pick: 24th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Pro career | 1961–1969 |
| Career history | |
| 1961–1963 | Chicago Majors |
| 1967–1968 | New Jersey Americans / New York Nets |
| 1968 | Minnesota Pipers |
| 1968–1969 | Houston Mavericks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Tony B. Jackson (born November 7, 1942 – died October 28, 2005) was a talented American professional basketball player. He was known for his skills on the court.
Tony Jackson's Early Life and College Career
Tony Jackson was born in Brooklyn, a part of New York City. He grew up to be six feet, four inches tall. Tony was a star player at St. John's University. He played for their basketball team, the St. John's Red Storm, from 1958 to 1961. His coach there was Joe Lapchick.
During his time at St. John's, Tony was recognized as one of the best college players. He was named a second-team All-American twice. This means he was considered one of the top players in college basketball across the country. He also won the National Invitation Tournament MVP award in 1959. This award goes to the most valuable player in that tournament.
Playing Professional Basketball
After college, Tony Jackson played in two different professional basketball leagues. He played for two seasons in the American Basketball League (ABL). Then, he played for two seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
One of his most amazing games was on March 14, 1962. While playing for the Chicago Majors in the ABL, Tony scored 53 points in a single game! This included 12 shots from beyond the three-point line.
Challenges and Achievements
Tony Jackson faced a big challenge in his career. He was not allowed to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This decision was made by the NBA commissioner at the time, Walter Kennedy.
Even with this challenge, Tony continued to play well in other leagues. He was chosen to play in the 1968 ABA All-Star Game. This shows he was still considered one of the best players in the ABA. He also set an ABA record for making 24 free throws in one game.
Tony Jackson passed away in 2005 in Brooklyn, New York. He died from cancer. His number 24 jersey was later retired by St. John's University. This means no other player at St. John's will wear that number. It is a special way to honor his great contributions to their basketball program.
