True freshman guard Desmar Jackson was the only Wyoming player to earn any kind of All-Mountain West Conference honors this season. He made the third team as he averaged 11.8 points per game and around 14 in conference play.
“I was third-team all-conference and that’s a big honor for a freshman,” he said. “I feel I had a good season and was given an opportunity to show the coaches that I can play. I need to keep working hard and be coachable.”
Jackson’s playing time increased after the season-ending knee injury Jan. 20 to leading scorer and 2008-09 MWC Freshman of the Year Afam Muojeke. Injuries to other players and ineffective play by others increased Jackson’s role and minutes as the season.
Some UW fans felt Jackson should have played more minutes earlier in the season. When I asked him if he was ready to for that he said: “At the beginning of the season I wasn’t ready to play 25 to 30 minutes a game. Toward the end of the season I got better with the flow and tempo of the game. I just adapted to it.
“Next year I feel my game will be better. We all will be more used to each other. “I feel our ofense is there, but we need to step it up on defense and reboudning.”
I also asked Jackson if he will return next season, and he quickly said: “I will be back.”
See Sunday’s paper for wrap-up and analysis on the UW men’s basketball season. Also see WTE assistant sports editor Jeremiah Johnke’s coverage of the Cheyenne East girls basketball team in the Class 4A state championship game from Casper.
Robert:
Any truth to the rumors I have read that indicate Desmar is thinking about transfering at the end of the Spring Semester?
If yes, what schools? And why?
It seems like a lot of guys have left – what are the reasons? Is it the coaches? or is it the cultural shock of Laramie for some of these inner city kids?
There is no truth to the rumor that Jackson is leaving. In fact, I just asked Schroyer about it and he said: “No. There is no issue.”
And Jackson told me himself after the season he would be back.
Six players have left UW in the last couple of years — all Schroyer recruits. Three were foreign players that left to go play professionally in their home countries.
Others left over playing time issues, expectations, etc. I think every kid’s story is a little different.