Boston College junior guard Reggie Jackson announced on Sunday that he will remain in the 2011 NBA Draft, forgoing his senior season in Chestnut Hill.
Jackson, who led the Eagles in scoring (18.2 PPG), assists (4.5 APG) and steals (1.1 SPG) last season, issued a statement about his decision on Boston College's athletics website, saying that he has nothing but admiration for the school and program.
I just want to thank BC, the coaching staff and administration for all their help and support throughout my three years here, but I have decided to stay in the draft and forego my senior season. The NBA has always been a dream of mine and it is one I wish to pursue. I am truly blessed to have attended and played for such a prestigious university. I would like to say thank you to all the BC fans for all the support and, though I have decided to leave school early, I will always be a BC Eagle.
Jackson finished his three-year career at Boston College with 1,254 points, 433 rebounds, 350 assists and 83 steals in 99 games with the Eagles. Jackson averaged 12.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 0.83 assists at BC.
While Jackson's decision to stay in the draft is a sad one for BC fans, the Boston Herald points out that it is most likely the right call for Jackson.
Despite that uncertainty, Jackson is most likely making the right decision. This is considered a weak draft class, especially at point guard, which should help Jackson move up. The 6-foot-3, 208-pound combo guard has the athleticism to impress talent evaluators in pre-draft workouts, so his stock should only rise throughout the process.
BC Interruption, SB Nation's Boston College blog, writes that there may be a bright side of Jackson's departure.
On the bright side, expectations for next season will be really, really low for BC. Donahue gets to clean slate a year earlier, and will get to work with a very talented freshman class that includes PG Jordan Daniels, SG Lonnie Jackson, SF Eddie Odio, PFs Ryan Anderson and Dennis Clifford and C Kyle Caudill. Combined with Oregon transfer Matt Humphrey, there will be plenty of new faces for the Eagles next season.