Texas Tech University Athletics
Tubby Smith Adds To Arsenal With Jackson, Williamson
November 12, 2014 | Men's Basketball
Texas Tech head coach Tubby Smith has added C.J. Williamson and Jordan Jackson for the 2015-16 season.
November 12, 2014
LUBBOCK, Texas - When Tubby Smith arrived in Lubbock on Apr. 1, 2013, he gave Texas Tech men's basketball a new level of visibility on the national scene. Nowhere is that more apparent than on the recruiting trail.
Today's early signing period proved just that as FloridaHoops.com four-star recruit C.J. Williamson and Texas Tech legacy Jordan Jackson each have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Texas Tech beginning in 2015.
"We are so excited to add C.J. and Jordan to the Red Raider Basketball family," said Smith of the two signings. "Both players bring a certain level of versatility and athleticism to our program. These are things that we look for when we are out recruiting. We have found players who can play multiple positions fit best into our system. It gives us more opportunities to adjust to our opponent."
Williamson, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound guard, has led Orlando (Fla.) Evans High School to back-to-back appearances in the Florida state championship game. He is listed as one of the Top 200 recruits nationally by 247Sports.com.
"C.J. is a mobile, agile and versatile player. He is a very heady and intelligent player that plays in a very competitive conference at a school like Orlando Evans (High School) that has a lot of tradition," said Smith. "He is a winner. We are very fortunate to be able to recruit a player of his talent level."
Jackson, a 6-3, 185-pound guard, is a two-time Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class 5A All-State honoree. He is the son of Texas Tech alumni Sheryl Swoopes and Eric Jackson. Swoopes is arguably regarded as the greatest female basketball player of all-time.
"Jordan Jackson is another multi-faceted player that is quick and athletic." said Smith. "He can do a lot of things. He is a guy that can play the point (guard). He can play one, two or three. The fact that his mom and dad are from here, helped us in his recruiting. He is a guy that won't be intimidated when he gets here. He has the ability to shoot the three, but the open court is where he is most affective."
Last season, Smith signed the best recruiting class for the Red Raiders in more than a decade, when he inked five freshmen and two junior college transfers. His class ranked No. 32 nationally according to The Hoop Scoop. It is the highest signed class at Texas Tech since Bob Knight notched Hoop Scoop's No. 29 class in 2005.
"Getting kids like C.J. and Jordan from winning programs begets winning," added Smith. "They understand what it takes. Usually, players from winning programs have made the sacrifices that it takes to be successful. These types of players have also been well coached."
The season tips off on Friday with a doubleheader at the United Supermarkets Arena for both the Lady Raiders and Red Raiders. The Lady Raiders will start the season off with a 5:30 p.m. tip against Jacksonville State before the men take on Loyola (Md.) at 8 p.m.
Fans can order season tickets for both men's and women's basketball now by calling the Texas Tech ticket office at (806) 742-8324 or by going online to www.texastech.com/tickets today.
C.J. Williamson
Guard │ 6-6 │ 200 │ Orlando, Florida │ Evans High School
Led Evans High School to a 28-6 record and the Florida Class 8A championship game as a junior … He averaged 11.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals while playing for the Trojans under head coach Chucky Atkins … earned All-Metro Conference honors and was selected All-Area as a junior by the Orlando Sentinel … as a sophomore averaged 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 steals for the Trojans … led Evans to the Florida Class 7A state finals as a sophomore … Evans is rated the No. 5 team in Florida this season by MaxPreps.com … a Top 200 recruit, Williamson is rated the 22nd best player in Florida by 247Sports.com … rated a four-star signee by FloridaHoops.com and the No. 26 player in the state of Florida … The Hoop Scoop rates Williamson as the No. 15 player in Florida … Williamson is rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com. Future150.com, ESPN and Rivals.com … ESPN has ranked Williams as the 80th best recruit in the Southeastern United States … played AAU basketball with the Florida Vipers under head coach Brandon McThay, who were 43-3 last season … also recruited by Clemson, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Missouri, Murray State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, UCF, UTEP, Virginia Commonwealth and Virginia Tech … full name is Courtney Williamson, Jr. … parents are Courtney and Stephanie Williamson.
Jordan Jackson
Guard │ 6-3 │ 180 │ Houston, Texas │ St. Pius X High School
Has led St. Pius X High School to a 4-0 start to begin the 2014-15 season … as a junior, helped St. Pius X reach the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Final Four … Earned TAPPS first team Class 5A All-State honors after averaging 14.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game … Earned Class 5A TAPPS honorable mention All-State honors as a sophomore after averaging 15.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists … also a two-time first team All-District 3-5A honoree … rated the No. 52 shooting guard in the nation and the No. 22 player in the state of Texas according to ESPN … rated a three-star signee by ESPN, Rivals.com, 247Sports.com … named the 14th best player in the Great Houston Area by RCS Sports … played AAU for TJ Ford Elite … also recruited by Bowling Green, The Citadel, Houston, LIU Brooklyn, Louisiana Tech, Rice, Sam Houston State, SMU, Stephen F. Austin, Tulsa and Weber State … an accomplished high jumper. He set the St. Pius X High School record in 2013 after clearing six-feet, eight inches … also earned All-State honors in track and field after finishing second at the state meet … parents are Texas Tech alumni Sheryl Swoopes and Eric Jackson … mother led Lady Raiders to 1993 NCAA title en route to National Player of the Year honors and led the U.S. to three straight Olympic gold medals.
