By Angela Brunk
Piper High School senior point guard Derrick Jackson enters this basketball season with high expectations, strong motivation, and a championship mindset. A member of the Class of 2026, Jackson leads the Pirates from the point guard position, where his court vision, speed, and competitiveness set the tone for his team.
Jackson’s biggest goal for the year is to help Piper reach the state tournament and ultimately bring home a championship. “My main goal for the team is to make state and win state to get a ring on our finger,” he said. A statement that reflects both his ambition and belief in the group around him.
One of the things Jackson is most excited about this season is the opportunity to play with his teammates. He believes this year’s roster has the potential to be one of the best defensive units Piper has ever had. He also has a few matchups circled on the calendar, particularly the Mill Valley and Oak Park games, contests that carry major significance and will serve as crucial tests for the Pirates.
This past offseason, Jackson focused on developing his strength, speed, and lateral quickness, all essential tools for a point guard tasked with leading both the offense and defense. He takes pride in his continued growth, especially in his rebounding. The stat he’s most proud of from last season is his six rebounds per game, a number that has steadily increased each year.
Looking ahead, Jackson hopes to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level and dreams of one day reaching the big leagues. If basketball doesn’t become his full-time path, he has a strong interest in pursuing real estate. Outside of athletics, he is also involved in Men’s Club at Piper.
