Marc Jackson knows how big an accomplishment being selected to the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame is. Jackson, former Temple star, will be inducted in the Big 5 Hall of Fame on February 21 in a ceremony at The Palestra. He will become the 23rd men’s basketball player in Temple history to be elected.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Jackson said. “It’s a big honor. You think about all the great players who have come out of the Big 5, that’s incredible. I’m really thankful for this induction. It’s major.”

Jackson was a major player for the Owls. He originally transferred to Temple from Virginia Commonwealth. In 1997, he was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year. He was a two-time all-Atlantic 10 and all-Big 5 first-team honoree (1995-96, 1996-97). He was also a two-time NABC first team all-District performer.

He scored 1,059 career points and grabbed 567 rebounds in his three-year college career, including 1,001 points (15.9 ppg) in his two seasons at Temple. Jackson, a Roman Catholic High product, led the team in scoring and rebounding his last two seasons with his best year coming as a junior when he averaged 16.1 points and 9.0 rebounds a game. He led the Owls to a 40-14 record and advanced to the NCAA tournament both seasons.

Jackson grew up in North Philadelphia about five blocks from the Temple campus. He credits ex-Temple basketball star Walter Byrd, John Chaney, former Temple coach and Hall of Famer and John Hardnett, Sonny Hill League coach, for most of his success.

“Walter Byrd was my first coach,” Jackson said. “Walter Byrd came up to me. He was a big, strong guy. He told me to go in the house and ask your mother who Walter Byrd is. My mother told me you should go with him. He’s going to teach you about basketball. Then, I come to find out that my mother used to work for him at Schwartz Playground. That was the first time somebody introduced me to basketball. He worked with his son, Kwame Byrd and me.

“Coach Chaney really taught me life lessons. It was more than just basketball with him. He was a great coach. We had some great teams. I remember beating Villanova and Kansas one year and they were both top ranked teams. Coach Chaney did a good job with me. It was nice playing for him.

“John Hardnett was my coach in the Sonny Hill League. John spent a lot of time with me. He worked with a lot of players in the Hill League. I really appreciate all things he did for me. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of great people around me throughout my career.”

Jackson decided to forego his senior year and make himself available for the NBA draft. He was a second round draft pick in 1997 of the Golden State Warriors. He started his professional basketball career in Europe before joining the Warriors for the 2000–01 season where he was named to the NBA all-Rookie team. Jackson played two seasons for the Warriors.

After that, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played one year for the Timberwolves. Then, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. He played two seasons with the Sixers. In 2005, he was dealt to the New Jersey Nets. In 2007, he finished his NBA career with the New Orleans Hornets. Jackson played the next three years in Europe before retiring.

Jackson resides in Tampa, Fla., with his wife and family. He now serves as a studio analyst for Comcast SportsNet, providing post game commentary on the Sixers.

Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .