Lucious Jackson
Lucious Jackson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lucious Brown Jackson 31 October 1941 San Marcos, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | 12 October 2022 (aged 80) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Other names | Luke Jackson |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 1964–1972 |
| Known for | NBA player for Philadelphia 76ers; 1967 NBA champion; 1965 NBA All-Star; 1964 Olympic gold medalist |
Lucious Brown Jackson (October 31, 1941 – October 12, 2022), frequently referred to as Luke Jackson, was a notable American professional basketball athlete. Standing as both a power forward and center, he spent his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers from 1964 through 1972. Jackson earned recognition as an NBA All-Star in 1965 and secured an NBA championship with the 76ers in 1967. Additionally, he competed internationally, representing the U.S. national team during the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Amateur career
Originally from San Marcos, Texas, Jackson’s family relocated to Bastrop, Louisiana, where he completed his education at Morehouse High School. He played collegiate basketball at Pan American College for the Pan American Broncs. His outstanding performance earned him All-America honors in 1963, along with the prestigious Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award at the NAIA Men's Basketball Championships for two consecutive years, 1963 and 1964.
On the international stage, Jackson represented the United States by participating in the 1963 Pan American Games and the 1963 FIBA World Championship. He also contributed to the U.S. Olympic basketball team’s gold medal victory at the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo.
Professional career
Jackson was chosen as the fourth overall pick in the 1964 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Over eight seasons (1964–1972), he played primarily as a 6-foot-9 power forward and occasionally shifted to center. During his rookie season, he averaged 14.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the 1964–65 NBA All-Rookie Team and participating in the 1965 NBA All-Star Game.
As a key player alongside Wilt Chamberlain, Jackson was a starter on Philadelphia’s 1966–67 championship squad that ended the Boston Celtics’ eight-year dominance. In the decisive game of the 1967 NBA Finals against the San Francisco Warriors, he contributed an impressive 13 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. Following Chamberlain’s trade to the Lakers in 1968, Jackson transitioned back to center for the 76ers.
Ahead of the 1969–70 season, Jackson briefly agreed to join the rival ABA’s Carolina Cougars but ultimately returned to Philadelphia soon after. That season was marred by injuries including an Achilles tendon issue and a collapsed lung; ongoing problems with his left foot involving tendons and bones persisted throughout his career. He concluded his professional playing days after the 1971–72 season.
Personal life and death
Jackson shared a marriage lasting 57 years with his wife Marva. After retiring from professional basketball, they settled in Marva’s hometown of Beaumont, Texas in 1973. He completed his academic degree at Pan American University and subsequently worked with Beaumont’s Parks and Recreation Department from 1975 until retiring in 2002. The couple had three children who all pursued basketball careers at West Brook High School and continued playing at collegiate levels: daughters Nicole and Andrea attended University of North Texas, while son Lucious III played at Syracuse University.
The name of the all-female rock group from the 1990s, Luscious Jackson, was inspired by Lucious Jackson.
Jackson passed away due to heart failure in Houston, Texas, on October 12, 2022, aged 80.
NBA career statistics
- Source
Regular season
| Season | Team | Games Played | Games Started | Minutes Per Game | Field Goal % | Free Throw % | Rebounds Per Game | Assists Per Game | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964–65 | Philadelphia | 76 | 34.1 | .414 | .713 | 12.9 | 1.2 | 14.8 | |
| 1965–66 | Philadelphia | 79 | 24.9 | .401 | .738 | 8.6 | 1.7 | 8.2 | |
| 1966–67† | Philadelphia | 81 | 29.3 | .438 | .759 | 8.9 | 1.4 | 12.0 | |
| 1967–68 | Philadelphia | 82 | 31.3 | .433 | .719 | 10.6 | 1.7 | 11.8 | |
| 1968–69 | Philadelphia | 25 | 33.6 | .437 | .711 | 11.4 | 2.2 | 14.4 | |
| 1969–70 | Philadelphia | 37 | 15.8 | .392 | .741 | 5.4 | 1.4 | 5.5 | |
| 1970–71 | Philadelphia | 79 | 40 | 22.5 | .376 | .693 | 7.2 | 1.9 | 6.7 |
| 1971–72 | Philadelphia | 63 | 22 | 17.2 | .396 | .692 | 4.9 | 1.4 | '5.8' |
| Career Totals | "522" | "62" | "26.4" | " .415" | " .722" | "8.8" | "1.6" | "9.9" | |
Playoffs
| Season | Team | Games Played | Minutes Per Game | Field Goal % | Free Throw % | Rebounds Per Game | Assists Per Game | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | (Philadelphia) | 11 | 29.2 | .338 | ' .781' | '7.2' | '2.2' | '10.3' |
| 1966 | (Philadelphia) | '5' | '32.6' | ' .429' | ' .818' | '8.8' | '1.6' | '12.0' |
| 1967† | (Philadelphia) | '15' | '36.2' | ' .398' | ' .725' | '11.7' | '2.0' | '11.0' |
| 1968 | (Philadelphia) | '13' | '33.2' | ' .392' | ' .686' | '8.8' | '1.2' | '11.4' |
| 1970 | (Philadelphia) | '5' | '14.6' | ".474" | ".1000" | '6.6' | '0.6' | '4.0' |
| 1971 | (Philadelphia) | '7' | '22.9' | ' .421' | ' .700' | '8.7' | '1.6' | '5.6' |
| Career Totals | "56" | "30.2" | " .389" | " .743" | "9.1" | "1.6" | "9.7" |