During Friday’s practice, Ian Jackson surprised everyone with a complete change in appearance.
The sophomore guard decided to cut off the long dreadlocks he had worn since middle school, opting for a much shorter style.
“It was wild! When he walked into the locker room that day, nobody recognized him at first,” laughed his teammate Oziya Sellers. “We joked that now he can finally see the rim when he goes to score.”
Jackson had consulted with coach Rick Pitino about the haircut. The Hall of Fame coach reminisced about his youth, noting that he grew up in a time when players had hair down to their shoulders, but he still had to see how Jackson would adapt.
“There was this old actor, Billy Dee Williams,” Pitino recalled, “He was one of the suave guys in Hollywood, and that’s what Jackson is looking like now.”
While the haircut was a bold move, it didn’t change the outcome of the No. 22 Johnnies’ 91-64 defeat against Iona College on Saturday.
At 6-foot-5, Jackson, a former McDonald’s All-American and a highly touted recruit from the Bronx, stepped into the starting point guard role for the first time this season. He contributed 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals over 27 minutes of play.
Coach Pitino made the adjustment by putting Jackson in the starting lineup instead of Dylan Dahlin, noting that he had been showing improvement in practice across various facets of his game, not just scoring.
Though he had five turnovers in the game, Jackson seemed to settle in as it progressed and made valuable contributions as St. John’s faced off against Iona.
“Ian’s a talented player, and his eagerness to learn allows him to elevate his game quickly. He’s both a great teammate and a great player,” Pitino highlighted. “Everything about him points to a bright future. Plus, his defensive skills have really stepped up.”
“I think today was definitely a step in the right direction,” Jackson mentioned afterward.
Regarding his new haircut, Jackson expressed he aimed for a “fresh start.” He recalled visiting the barbershop and being surprised when the high-ceiling security guard turned out to be working there that day.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a reboot, just a different look,” he clarified. “I wanted something fresh and new.”
