NORWICH – Rick Jackson was one of the most improved basketball players in the Big East Conference this past season. Now just a few days away from graduating with his degree in sociology at Syracuse University, the reigning conference Defensive Player of the Year was in Norwich Wednesday evening to do a “meet and greet” at Leigh Baldwin and Company, a business after hours function that was done in association with Commerce Chenango. Jackson sat down for a short interview with Evening Sun Sports Editor, Patrick Newell, to discuss his career, his offseason conditioning, and his prospects for the 2011 NBA Draft scheduled June 23 in Newark, N.J.

PN: “Leigh Baldwin has had a number of Syracuse University athletes work as interns for him. What is your association with Leigh, and do you do this type of stuff often?”
RJ: “I met him through another person, and I heard there is a big Syracuse following around here...I wanted to come here and meet new people. Wherever I can go and show my face...it’s always good to see the kids.”
PN: “Your offseason conditioning last summer is well document, and you came into this season a lot lighter. What did you do to make yourself the player you were this year?”
RJ: “It was a lot of indoor running and being in the gym a lot. I was trying to get my body right and change the way I ate. I was eating a lot a cakes and candy. I tried to watch what I eat, work out, and live in the gym. It helped me lose 20 pounds.”
PN: “ Did losing the weight make you a better player?”
RJ: “Yes. I think it helped me get off the ground quicker. I think it helped as far as sliding my feet when I was guarding little guys, and I was more mobile at the four (power forward) position.”
PN: “You were invited to the NBA Draft combine a week ago. How did that go?”
RJ: “I thought it went well. I was talking to a few teams, and for me, it’s going to be about defense and rebounding. A lot of teams wanted to see if I can play man-to-man because we played a lot of two-three zone at Syracuse. So, I was showing them I can do that. I got a lot of positive feedback, and next week I’m flying out to Chicago for another workout. Hopefully that goes well, and come June 23, I will hear my name called.”
PN: “ Do you know your own scouting report; what NBA scouts are saying about you?”
RJ: “ Not really. Eighty-five percent of the league is role players. My role will be rebounding, blocking shots, and playing defense. That is what I can do for someone, and I hope a team will take me.”
PN: “ A lot of top players play one year and declare for the NBA. You’re finishing your college degree and had the four-year college experience. Are those guys who played only a year or two of college missing something?
RJ: I talked to a lot of guys who jumped (to the NBA) after a year or two. They said it’s different, it’s all business and they don’t have any friends on the team. They’re not getting their degree, and a lot of guys wanted to get their degree. Once you leave for the NBA, it’s hard to come back to school. I’m glad I stayed and got things done. Now I can go out to the next stage of my life.
PN: If the NBA does not call your name on draft day, will you try to play basketball somewhere?
RJ: Right now I’m looking at the bigger picture, and hopefully that happens for me. I’ll keep working hard preparing for the draft, and good things will happen.”