Palmer's Reggie Jackson named state's best

Palmer senior standout Reggie Jackson is the 2007-08 Gatorade Colorado Boys Basketball Player of the Year, it was announced Wednesday.

The 6-foot-4 senior has signed a national letter of intent to play men's basketball at Boston College.

"It's a great honor," Jackson said in a phone interview. "To even be included among some of the great players in this state is a great honor in itself."

Jackson, who maintains a 3.22 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale, is a member of the student council.

He volunteers as a youth basketball camp counselor and mentors incoming Palmer freshmen as part of the school's Link Crew.

Jackson, who averaged 29.6 points and 7.9 rebounds, led the Terrors (24-3) to the 5A state semifinals.

Past Gatorade state boys honorees include Levi Knutson of Arapahoe, 2006-07; and Matt Bouldin, ThunderRidge, 2004-05 and 2005-06.

Jackson is a finalist for the national award to be announced this month.

The award, which recognizes athletic excellence, good academics and character on and off the court, is co-sponsored by Rise Magazine.