Without A Doubt, Ja’Myrin Jackson Becomes TBL Steals Leader With Lansing Pharaohs By Investing In Defense
Thanks to dedication, anticipation, and heeding the teaching from his coaching staff in Lansing, the combo guard emerges as a league leader with something to show.
Lansing, Michigan — One of the best parts about watching the Lansing Pharaohs compete this season in The Basketball League is being able to see the steps their young local talent have taken in improving their respective games simply by putting in the work and getting after it on the floor.
The investment on the defensive end keeps paying off.
That’s certainly been the case for Ja’Myrin Jackson through the first half of the season, as the 6’5 combo guard and Lansing native has steadily climbed the TBL stats charts through a two-month stretch that’s seen the Pharaohs go 6-3 overall while currently riding a four-game win streak heading into Friday’s match-up against the Dayton Flight. Within that time, Jackson jumped ahead of Bernard Parks (Shreveport) and Jody Hill (Detroit) with 2.7 steals per game and now sits atop the TBL as a league leader in steals at 2.9 per game.
The effort. The anticipation. The opportunity to push through any past chitter-chatter that left his defensive abilities in question on the court coming out of Lansing Everett High School and Lansing Community College. That’s what it has come down to for the 24-year old who has emerged as a steals league leader, with Ja’Myrin quick to credit the effective coaching philosophy being preached and practiced by head coach Scott Newman and the Pharaohs’ coaching staff. It’s that raw energy and eagerness to consistently force turnovers that’s helped keep Ja’Myrin Jackson on the floor and standing out amongst over 600 other TBL players this season.
Don’t believe it?
The numbers and results don’t lie.
Taking a look at some stats from the first half of this season across 44 teams, it was nice to see your name standing out among the leaders in steals for Lansing. Is that something you were even aware of or have put much thought into?
No, not at all to be honest. My coaching staff actually gave me the news during our practice, and then later that night our owner gave me a text confirming it because I really didn’t believe it.
Do you take pride in that stat and being able to pick a guy's pocket? Has that always been part of your game playing in high school in Lansing and at the JUCO level at Lansing Community College?
Absolutely. Defense is something I’ve truly been working to improve on because in high school and my years playing basketball in junior college, everyone told me I couldn’t play defense.
What changed for you then or has helped you focus on that area? Is it about proving the doubters wrong or did something click for you to start this TBL season?
This year was extremely important to me. My ultimate goal is to reach the NBA and I know at that level it’s not all about scoring the ball, and it’s about fitting into a system. But overall I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder because I have been doubted my entire athletic career.
Fortunately for you and the Pharaohs, you've been able to score the ball and rebound as well each game out (averaging a team-high 19.9 points to go along with 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game). But it's the ability to force turnovers where you've excelled -- including a season-high 5 steals against Kentucky, 4 steals each versus Cincinnati and Toledo. Is that coming down to effort or reading plays?
It’s anticipation really. It’s like an instinct. You see how the play is going and you try to anticipate a pass or a guy making a cut and you just put your body out there.
Can you compare your defensive approach from last season with Flint to this season playing in Lansing? How have Coach Newman and the staff helped push and motivate you in this area?
Flint was my first season so I was still in my bubble playing reserved rather than being assertive like I am this season. Coach Newman is a stickler when it comes to defense and if you’re not playing defense you’re coming out of the game. You do whatever you can to stay in the game.
Do you watch a lot of film of yourself from the past TBL games or upcoming opponents to see where you can get a defensive advantage? When it comes to playing defense, do you model your game after a certain style or NBA player?
Honestly, I don’t watch myself. I’ve never been big on film unless it’s watching my team to see where we could improve moving forward. For NBA players, I would have to say Jimmy Butler with the Miami Heat. He’s a two-way guy who has a great instinct when it comes to forcing turnovers.
You guys are riding a four game win streak right now before heading into this next game against Dayton. Without looking, do you know how many steals you've totaled over those last four wins?
Like, 4? I really have no clue!
12
Are you serious! Wow, that’s crazy!
You are selling yourself short…
I just go out on the court to win. Everything else just comes with the game.
Any last words for those doubters who once questioned that ability on D?
Continue to doubt, because it’s truly making me better.
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Wendell Maxey has covered and written about professional basketball and sports for 19 years including eight years reporting on the NBA in New York and Portland where his work appeared on ESPN.com, NBA.com, USA Today, FOX Sports, YAHOO Sports!, SLAM Magazine, and The Oregonian among other publications and outlets. Connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn or read through his archive on Linktree.