Forward Progress : Long Beach State’s Jackson Forcing Opponents, Coaches to Take Notice

He isn’t the first chest-thumping teenager who set out to conquer the world--or at least the Big West Conference--and crash land on the seat of his warm-up pants. And Long Beach State forward Akeli Jackson won’t be the last to find humility on the bench.

These things happen. But Jackson didn’t allow a wounded ego to keep him down, although the thought occasionally crossed his mind.

Fortunately, many people helped cushion Jackson’s fall. His reemergence has been equally as swift.

Only a sophomore, Jackson is already among the Big West’s best forwards and he is moving up the list--rapidly, conference coaches said. He has adjusted his attitude and now opponents are adjusting their play to try and keep pace with the swift, quick-leaping Jackson.

Along the way, Jackson has earned the respect of teammates, coaches and 49er fans. The son of former 49er basketball player Kyle, Akeli is on the verge of something big.

“I think I’m one of the top forwards in the league,” Jackson said. “We haven’t played everyone yet, but based on the players I’ve played against so far, I think I can say that.”

Even if Jackson didn’t, others would. Nevada Coach Pat Foster knows talent when he sees it. Jackson has that look.

“He’s good,” Foster said. “He’s one of the most improved players in the conference. There aren’t many better juniors.”

Ah, coach, Jackson is a sophomore.

“Oh, well, that changes everything,” Foster said. “That changes my mind then. He’s great. He’s got a chance to be special.”

Likewise, Utah State Larry Eustachy is a Jackson fan. And Eustachy said Jackson hasn’t developed completely.

“Yeah, he’s good, but I still don’t think he’s where he’s going to wind up,” Eustachy said. “He has so much ability, we might be watching him in the NBA one day.”

Why all the fuss? Well, Jackson is 6 feet 8, 220 pounds and jumps high and fast.

That combination has helped Jackson average 11.4 points and a team-leading 8.2 rebounds. He is fourth in the Big West in the latter category.

He is the 49ers’ main interior scoring threat. Defenders are usually a step behind Jackson, whose quickness, soft shooting touch and post moves are often too much to handle.

“Akeli has got a gift,” Long Beach Coach Seth Greenberg said. “You don’t jump that quick and run that well at 6-8 1/2 unless you have a gift.

“Now, he’s starting to understand it’s more than just having the gift. It’s about working to fulfill the potential. Akeli is finally assuming responsibility for his potential.”

It certainly took long enough, Jackson admits. He arrived at Long Beach from Gardena Serra High in 1993-94.

As a senior, Jackson led Serra to the 1993 state Division IV championship. He was named division player of the year by Cal-Hi Sports after averaging 24 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Jackson, 20, figured he would step into the 49ers’ starting lineup as a true freshman and lead the team in rebounding, maybe even scoring.

Not so fast, kid.

Greenberg, who wanted him to add some muscle, decided to redshirt Jackson. Last season, Jackson also spent more time waiting than playing. As a reserve, he averaged 3.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and wondered what was going on.

“Man, I never came off the bench before in my life,” Jackson said. “Coming off the bench last year and playing spot time, it was a whole new experience for me.

“I’m used to being a player. Coming to college and having to do that, it was a new experience and I had to deal with that. It was really, really frustrating.”

Especially because he didn’t deal with the new role well.

“I’ll be the first to tell you, I didn’t take criticism well last year,” Jackson said. “Last year, people tried to give me constructive criticism and I’d look at them like they were crazy . . . like I knew everything even though I knew I didn’t.”

Talks with his father helped. Kyle played basketball at Long Beach from 1973-75. Kyle, a lieutenant and 18-year member of the L.A. police department, preached patience to Akeli.

“He had great expectations going into college,” said Kyle, commanding officer of detectives in the Devonshire division in the San Fernando Valley.

“Like a lot of young men, he thought he would be king. That doesn’t always happen for young people. He learned he had to work for everything he wants. He has, and I’m very proud of him.”

So are his teammates. They have watched Jackson grow up first-hand.

“He’s definitely stepped up his game compared to last year,” senior point guard Rasul Salahuddin said. “He wasn’t as mature as he is now. I can honestly say Akeli is one of our go-to guys now.

“When he gets the ball down low now, I expect him to get the foul or score. Last year, maybe he would miss the shot or he wouldn’t be concentrating around the basket.

“He’s as athletic as any forward in the conference. By the time he’s a senior, he should be dominating the conference.”

How good Jackson becomes is up to Jackson, senior forward Juaquin Hawkins said.

“There’s no telling what his future holds,” Hawkins said. “The biggest thing now is he just has to take it year by year, and his future should be real bright.”

But now that Jackson knows what it takes, Greenberg will push more. He wants Jackson to be great.

“Once you reach a certain level, then you have to play at that level every single night,” Greenberg said. “He has the potential to be one of the best power forwards in the western United States. He can’t settle for how good he is right now, he has to see the bigger picture.”