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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Matt Jackson
2/28/2019 11:20:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro
Aussie endured 5 surgeries, emerged as key player
The Grand Canyon player who endured five hip and back surgeries and missed an entire season two years ago is as reliable as a math formula to the Lopes.
Matt Jackson will play his final regular-season home game on Saturday night against CSU Bakersfield, and it will be hard to imagine GCU basketball without his steadying on-court and off-court influence.
Jackson came from Melbourne, Australia, in 2014 with a slim window to play in an NCAA tournament as GCU went through the Division I transition period. He started 10 games as a sophomore but injuries and surgeries stacked up, prompting him to redshirt in 2016-17 and accept moving to walk-on status to start 2017-18.
As he regained health, Jackson earned a scholarship back and even more trust from the coaching staff. He has been an integral player for his versatility and intelligence on offense and defense.
"Matt has always been one of my favorite guys," GCU head coach Dan Majerle said. "You can count on him every day."
Jackson has the team's highest player efficiency rating (14.1) this season and is shooting a career-high 48.7 percent from the field. No Lopes player makes fewer turnovers per 40 minutes than Jackson at 1.2.
He opened the WAC season with one of his best games, a 19-point, eight-rebound game in a win against Utah Valley, tied for second place with GCU (17-10, 9-4 WAC).
"We've still got a long way to go," Jackson said. "If we can make it to the tournament, that would cap it all off. But, still, I'm proud of myself for being able to come back and make an impact in any way I can with the school and the team.
"It'll be sad not playing here again but I've enjoyed my time and made the most of it."
Jackson's mother, father, younger sister and uncle traveled from Australia and a cousin came from Toronto to watch recent games and attend Senior Night.
When he came to GCU, Jackson was a 19-year-old who was unsure of whether he wanted to play American basketball until Lopes assistant coach Chris Crevelone recruited him and fellow Aussie Gerard Martin simultaneously. The style of play was a major adjustment but only part of his life change.
"It's made me grow up," said Jackson, a graduate student in sports management. "I had to learn how to do everything by myself without the family around. That's huge for everyone moving away from home and knowing I just can't drive home. It's a bit of a flight. It's taught me to grow up, make new relationships, meet new people.
"The overall experience has been huge. To think I was thinking of not doing it is crazy. I'm very glad I made this decision. Basketball has taught me a lot. But everything on the side has really made me grow as a person and I've loved it."
Third of four Senior Spotlights on the men's basketball seniors who are playing their final home games this week.
Tuesday: Trey Drechsel
Wednesday: Michael Finke
Today: Matt Jackson
Friday: Gerard Martin
Matt Jackson will play his final regular-season home game on Saturday night against CSU Bakersfield, and it will be hard to imagine GCU basketball without his steadying on-court and off-court influence.
Jackson came from Melbourne, Australia, in 2014 with a slim window to play in an NCAA tournament as GCU went through the Division I transition period. He started 10 games as a sophomore but injuries and surgeries stacked up, prompting him to redshirt in 2016-17 and accept moving to walk-on status to start 2017-18.
As he regained health, Jackson earned a scholarship back and even more trust from the coaching staff. He has been an integral player for his versatility and intelligence on offense and defense.
"Matt has always been one of my favorite guys," GCU head coach Dan Majerle said. "You can count on him every day."
Jackson has the team's highest player efficiency rating (14.1) this season and is shooting a career-high 48.7 percent from the field. No Lopes player makes fewer turnovers per 40 minutes than Jackson at 1.2.
He opened the WAC season with one of his best games, a 19-point, eight-rebound game in a win against Utah Valley, tied for second place with GCU (17-10, 9-4 WAC).
"We've still got a long way to go," Jackson said. "If we can make it to the tournament, that would cap it all off. But, still, I'm proud of myself for being able to come back and make an impact in any way I can with the school and the team.
"It'll be sad not playing here again but I've enjoyed my time and made the most of it."
Jackson's mother, father, younger sister and uncle traveled from Australia and a cousin came from Toronto to watch recent games and attend Senior Night.
When he came to GCU, Jackson was a 19-year-old who was unsure of whether he wanted to play American basketball until Lopes assistant coach Chris Crevelone recruited him and fellow Aussie Gerard Martin simultaneously. The style of play was a major adjustment but only part of his life change.
"It's made me grow up," said Jackson, a graduate student in sports management. "I had to learn how to do everything by myself without the family around. That's huge for everyone moving away from home and knowing I just can't drive home. It's a bit of a flight. It's taught me to grow up, make new relationships, meet new people.
"The overall experience has been huge. To think I was thinking of not doing it is crazy. I'm very glad I made this decision. Basketball has taught me a lot. But everything on the side has really made me grow as a person and I've loved it."
Third of four Senior Spotlights on the men's basketball seniors who are playing their final home games this week.
Tuesday: Trey Drechsel
Wednesday: Michael Finke
Today: Matt Jackson
Friday: Gerard Martin
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
G
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Dusty Stromer | Media Availability | 9.3.25
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Kaleb Smith | Media Availability | 9.3.25
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Non-Conference Schedule Release | Men's Basketball
Monday, August 04