Sophomore guard Chloe Jackson wasn’t going to let her dreams of a collegiate career be crushed after sitting on the bench for two years.
Jackson started her freshman season at North Carolina State for the 2014-15 season where she played in four games before fracturing her foot and sitting out the rest of the season.
After recovering from surgery for nearly six months, Jackson signed to LSU in late April of 2015 and began her journey as a Lady Tiger during the summer of 2015.
Already sitting out for much of her freshman season, Jackson was redshirted because of NCAA transfer rules, which requires a player to sit out for a season after transferring.
Jackson’s mom, Carol Jackson, said the experience allowed her to grow both on and off the court.
“When Chloe injured herself her freshman year, she was devastated because it was her dream to play on a collegiate level,” Carol said. “So her sophomore year at LSU, she sat out with patience and she tried to be encouraging, and tried to be a motivator for her teammates that were playing.”
“She made it her goal to work hard, to get back in shape, [and] to condition herself so that she would be in the best playing position that she could be physically and mentally where she wanted to be when she was able to step back on the court.”
But Chloe said she was ready for her debut in the Lady Tigers’ exhibition game against LeMoyne-Owen on Nov. 6. Chloe posted 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists to help LSU to a 81-34 victory.
It felt great being back on the court, she said.
“It was all about showing what I got now because it’s been a while,” she said. “I think my game has evolved a lot since my freshman season so it was just all about putting all that work from two years into the game.”
After seven games this season, Chloe averages 12.4 points per game, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and has made an average of 61.9 percent of her free throws.
Freshman forward and teammate Ayana Mitchell both began practicing as Lady Tigers in the summer of 2015 and their friendship has grown stronger ever since, Chloe said.
“Chloe’s different,” she laughs. “But she’s a great ball player. She’s a great person. She definitely loves the game and she works hard. I wouldn’t trade her for anybody else.”
Carol said when Chloe was cleared to play, she was confident and knew that her hard work was going to pay off.
“One of the things that keeps her grounded is her faith,” Carol said. “She see her being able to play while going to school as a huge blessing.”