The Big Interview: Zundra Jackson
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PICTURED: Zundra Jackson Zundra Jackson 6'1" | PG Chattanooga Christian School | 2024 State TN [Photo Credit @jalinperry_photography] Wednesday evening Zundra Jackson Zundra Jackson 6'1" | PG Chattanooga Christian School | 2024 State TN was kind enough to do a…
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Continue ReadingPICTURED: Zundra Jackson Zundra Jackson 6'1" | PG Chattanooga Christian School | 2024 State TN [Photo Credit @jalinperry_photography]
Wednesday evening Zundra Jackson Zundra Jackson 6'1" | PG Chattanooga Christian School | 2024 State TN was kind enough to do a phone interview with @PrepHoopsTN. Zundra is not ranked because I first learned about him this summer and our 2024’s have not been updated since. He will land in the Top 50 when they are new. Zundra is a senior starter for Chattanooga Christian School and wrapped his final AAU season with Tennessee Tigers AAU in July.
When did you start taking basketball seriously?
Since I came out of the womb I had a ball in my hand. Since I was little, I was watching basketball with him. As soon as I was able to walk and stuff I had a ball in my hands.
Do you remember any players you used to watch on TV?
Carmelo. I used to like Lebron when I was little too, when he was the Heat.
What was your young basketball like?
Since I was kindergarten I was on the rec team. We didn’t know about travel basketball. We played in an AAU event in Dalton, GA and the competition was way better, obviously. One of the coaches asked my dad if I was interested in playing AAU. That was when I started.
Do you know the name of the team?
North Georgia Longhorns. It was the North Georgia Attack.
Did you play middle school? How was your team?
My first year I moved to Dalton (GA) and we were solid. My 8th grade year I played high junior varsity. I averaged 26 ppg. Christian Heritage (GA).
Did you move at some point?
Yes. After my sophomore year I moved to Lafayette (GA), and I was not going to be eligible. So, we moved to Chattanooga.
What time of year did you move?
I think maybe July.
Did you start at Chattanooga Christian School?
Start?
I mean to say, did you begin your Tennessee schooling there or start at a different school?
No, I started there.
What did you think of the school? It was smaller?
I went to Christian Heritage (GA) before. It was private too. One thing I had to get used to was that it was way harder academically (here). My first season we were losing a lot and it was bad to me because I was from a winning program. We went 14-15 my first season, and for me that was bad, but for the school that was good.
Did you see improvement was possible?
I could see that we were going to improve because we were a young team. I knew that this year would make a run because we had a young team and we were all getting older and better.
How are you doing this year?
We are 3-3 right now. Last night it was bad. Everybody was off. Even I was off in the beginning of the game. I was shooting and missing, so I decided to attack. We lost to Red Bank and Beech. If we rescheduled them we would beat them.
We might get them back in Best of Preps. We play East Hamilton and Red Bank plays Tyner Academy. So, if they win and we win we will play them again,
Recruiting
What is going on with recruiting? Who are you hearing from?
Lees-McRae have been in contact. I have heard from Tennessee Wesleyan, Cleveland State Community College, and Montevallo.
When did you first hear from Tennessee Wesleyan?
Last week.
What are they saying?
They said they are really interested in me. They told me about the “43” points and I told them that that means nothing to me because we lost and they said I am clearly a team player.
What is their next step?
They are trying to come to a tournament in Gatlinburg.
Cleveland State is JuCo. Is that something you would consider?
Not really. I don’t think so. I don’t think about committing [anywhere] yet, but Lees-McRae is saying that I have a good chance to come in and start. I want to go D1, but that is a really good opportunity.
Montevallo (D2), what are they saying?
They texted me and are talking to me. They are looking for a guard and talked to my AAU Coach. They were asking for film and said they are going to get back to me after the head coach watches the film.
What are you thinking timeline on recruiting? Are you thinking after the season? Later? Earlier?
Probably late January.
What are you trying to accomplish with basketball?
I want to go to the NBA, obviously. But if I can’t do that I want to go overseas.