State College, Pa. - July 14, 2005 - David Jackson is the second junior college transfer to join the Penn State Nittany Lion basketball team in two years, following in the successful footsteps of new teammate Travis Parker, who joined the Lions last year. His journey to Penn State was a circuitous one, but one that - ultimately - has him happy in Happy Valley.

"I broke my foot shortly after my senior year in high school," Jackson says with a very infectious smile. "From there, I had to re-evaluate how I wanted to get to where I wanted to be, which was a big time college program."

Jackson's foot injury, shortly after his senior year at High Point High School in Gaithersburg, Md., led him to a year of prep school in North Carolina. He went the prep school route to get his SAT scores up to Division I standards and was successful in doing do. But timing and his unwavering commitment to keeping his word led to Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla.

"After the injury happened, I knew I was going to need time to work myself back into shape and I wanted to get my scores up to where they needed to be," he says. "I got them to where they needed to be, but they came in after I had already committed to Gulf Coast. I keep my word and I knew after two years of junior college experience, I'd have offers from big time schools."

Offers indeed. The 6-3, 195-pound guard got offers from Auburn, West Virginia, South Carolina and many others. But he ultimately knew Penn State was the right fit. Jackson says Penn State was his choice for two important reasons. They may sound trite and over-used, but the high school honor roll student and two year starter at Gulf Coast chose Penn State for its academics and athletics.

"This was the choice, hands down," Jackson notes. "It has a great business school (Jackson is majoring in Business Management) and I knew I'd have a chance to earn plenty of playing time. Some schools wanted me as a back-up or were loaded with upperclassmen. Here, we're so young and I see myself having a chance to help lead young guys and to teach them."

Jackson is enjoying school and his teammates. He has two classes in the second summer session and the classes are small by Penn State standards. "I don't think the differences between Penn State and Gulf Coast will really hit me until the fall when those huge classes start," he laughs. "The big difference right now is the size of the campus!"

The 22-year old junior says he and his teammates have gelled very well already. The new players have bonded and the returning players have welcomed new faces eagerly. "One week after we all got here, everyone is cracking jokes and hanging out together," Jackson says. "There are so many different characters on this team, it's great. We all get along, now it's up to us to gel on the floor. That's the important thing."

Even though Jackson is in his first year at Penn State, he is still very experienced. He describes himself as a vocal player on the floor and one who doesn't fancy losing very much. "On the floor, I talk," he says, a bit more serious. "I'm very vocal and energized. The one thing that gets me ticked off is losing. I don't like it, no one does. But what we need to do is learn from losing, learn from mistakes, and be willing to do the things we have to do to get better. I have confidence that we can create that kind of mentality here. I know that's how I work, how I play."

Jackson carries himself with a quiet confidence that may belay his on-court demeanor. Once he puts on the Nittany Lion uniform for the first time, everyone will have a chance to see. He is not over-confident or cocky, just committed. He seems serious at first but when he smiles, it dominates his face and puts those around him at ease.

Penn State fans should have a very enjoyable time getting to know David Jackson. They'll see determination and dedication on the floor, and one can safely assume that his emotions will be firmly pinned to his sleeves. It appears that, with the addition of Jackson to the Nittany Lion roster, things just got a lot more interesting in the Bryce Jordan Center this winter.