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Given a second chance to recruit Vance Jackson, Eric Musselman didn’t let the forward slip through his fingers again.
The second-year Arkansas coach missed out on the former Rivals100 prospect when he transferred from UConn a few years ago, but landed him as a graduate transfer from New Mexico on Wednesday.
Jackson told HawgBeat that the relationship he formed with Musselman that go around and the opportunity to play in a major conference were the driving factors behind his decision.
“When I was transferring from UConn, the whole coaching staff was recruiting me hard (and) I just feel like they knew my game best,” Jackson said. “I just like the whole situation over there and I just feel like the stage, playing in the SEC, in a Power Five conference, was somewhere I feel like I belong.”
Picking the Razorbacks capped a “hectic” and “exciting” two days. Jackson entered the NCAA transfer portal Monday and heard from schools like Louisville, Memphis, Arizona State, Colorado, Ole Miss and Cincinnati before settling on Arkansas.
Normally, players with that many options could visit their suitors, but the coronavirus pandemic has completely shut down in-person recruiting. Having already been through the process as the No. 80 overall player in the Class of 2016 and then as a traditional transfer following his freshman year, though, Jackson didn’t stress about not being able to visit Fayetteville.
“This is more business and I’m just locked in,” Jackson said. “I just care about the gym and the opportunity I have, that’s really how I based the decision. Taking a tour on campus wasn’t really such a big deal for me.”
Jackson’s previous relationship with Musselman certainly helped soothe any concerns, but it also didn’t hurt that he’s had a lot of success with transfers in the past.
He heavily relied on them at Nevada, highlighted by Caleb and Cody Martin, and then continued to do so in Year 1 at Arkansas with Jimmy Whitt Jr.
“I’m familiar with the Martin twins and what they did over there at Nevada,” Jackson said. “His background and what he did dictated a lot of my decision. I feel like it was the smartest and best decision for myself.”
As for Musselman’s side of things, he was comfortable adding Jackson without getting him to campus because he’s seen him up close and personal.
Two years ago, Jackson had a monster game to help New Mexico knock off Musselman’s No. 6 Nevada team and end its bid for an undefeated season. He came off the bench and had 18 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals.
When asked if he remembered if Musselman said anything to him after the game, Jackson laughed.
“I’m pretty sure Coach Muss and the whole staff was sick because that was a devastating loss for them,” Jackson said, with his smile almost audible over the phone. “We laughed about that. I definitely do remember that game.”
As a graduate transfer, Jackson will be immediately eligible with just one year to make an impact at Arkansas. He said he intends to end his career - which has seen him score 990 points - “with a bang.”
“I love to win, so obviously I want to win,” Jackson said. “I have the highest expectations as a team and for myself, but I’m just going to keep quiet. I’m going to let things unfold in front of everybody and let everybody else talk.”
