May 2, 2002

Johnnie Jackson, a 6-foot-6-inch forward from Memphis, Tenn., has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Boston College, according to an announcement by Boston College head coach Al Skinner. Jackson will enroll at BC in September 2002 and begin play during the 2002-03 season.

Jackson was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Team as a senior at Fairley High School. The senior averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. He led the Bulldogs to the quarterfinal round of the 2002 region tournament. He was also one of five finalists for Best of the Preps boys basketball player of the year.

"We're very pleased that Johnnie (Jackson) chose Boston College," Skinner said. "He's a versatile player who will be a solid addition to our team."

Jackson is the third recruit to sign with the Eagles. Craig Smith and Louis Hinnant both inked national letters of intent during the early signing period. Smith is a 6-foot-8-inch forward from Los Angeles, Calif. He played the 2001-02 season at Worcester (Mass.) Academy. Hinnant is a 6-foot-2-inch guard from Oxon Hill, Md. He played his schoolboy ball at Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine, Md.

Boston College returns eight players from the 2001-02 team that finished with a 20-12 record and earned its second consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament.