AOP Spotlight Series: Marc Jackson, Roman - Class of 1993

June 08, 2020

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A new feature to the website, the Spotlight Series will include interviews with former AOP student-athletes who continued their athletic participation in one form or another after high school.

Marc Jackson, Roman (Class of 1993)

Earned first-team All-PCL honors in 1993 while leading Roman to the Catholic League title

                    Temple University (1995-97)
                      * Named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 1997
                      * Scored 1,001 points (15.9 ppg.) in his two seasons at Temple
                      * Inducted into the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame in 2012

Professional Playing Career
                      * Selected 37th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1997 NBA Draft
                      * Played three seasons overseas before joining the Warriors in 2000-01
                      * Earned All-Rookie Team honors in 2001
                      * Compiled 3,238 points and 1,655 rebounds in seven NBA seasons

                      Television Broadcasting
                      * Serves as a studio analyst for 76ers games for NBC Sports Philadelphia and college basketball color analyst for CBS Sports

What makes Roman such a special place?
“The acceptance of different kinds of kids. The acceptance of the diversity, economically and racially, the diverse student population, and how they all come together to form not just a bond but a brotherhood. A lot of schools say that. A lot of people say that. But Roman Catholic is the epitome of a brotherhood because it welcomes all kids from different walks of Earth.”

How much does playing in the Philadelphia Catholic League prepare student-athletes for competing at a high level in college?
“I’ve played all around the world and seen a bunch of things. But the experience of playing in the Catholic League, playing in different gym types. The Catholic League, before you get to The Palestra, just shows you different types of environments. Big gyms, the small historic gyms. The coaching, the different kinds of players. But then when you get to The Palestra, it’s just an environment that is so unbelievable and prepares you for college basketball. And no offense, it’s actually better than a lot of college basketball atmospheres if you ask me. It brings so much, from old to young sitting side-by-side, and a lot of them may be from schools not even represented in those Palestra games. They just want to be there for that historic atmosphere."

Important lessons you learned playing under John Chaney:
“Just about life. When I was growing up, I played basketball strictly because it was fun. But then Coach Chaney told me about the life experiences, the different experiences that the basketball game can bring you. He told me to use basketball as a platform, to not just see and experience things, but help change lives. And that’s why when I retired, I got into youth basketball and teaching youth and coaching youth. Because giving back to so many different kids because of what the game gave to me, it was just a special environment."

Greatest player you ever faced in the NBA?
"Shaq. Shaquille O’Neal. He was in his prime my first couple years in the NBA. So playing against him - and seeing how much everyone feared Shaq - for me, it was an honor because I knew how great he was, that I was playing against a historic icon. I think I had some of my best games against Shaq. Of course he had some great games himself. Playing against him meant more than just running up and down the court. It meant more. I was playing against history. And I was playing against someone that I was going to tell my children about what it was like to play against.”

Your passion for your post-NBA career in broadcasting:
It really is special to broadcast the game of basketball, talk about the game of basketball. I am able to cover both worlds [pro and college basketball], and not just critique, but to be around the game and still learn. When I do these preps and talk to coaches, I learn so much from talking to them, seeing what their game plans are, what’s the joy they get from coaching in the game. I learn so much from it.”

Previous AOP Spotlights
Ryan Quigley, Lansdale Catholic (Class of 2016)
Denise Dillon, Cardinal O'Hara (Class of 1992)
Chris Mooney, Archbishop Ryan (Class of 1990)