Warriors’ Jackson commits to ERAU
The Brookwood Warrior star basketball player Walker Jackson has committed to play college hoops at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“It was everywhere, from the highest levels to the lowest levels,” said Brookwood head basketball coach Nate VanDuyne on Jackson’s recruitment, which he described as “wild”. “It was something that was really, I think, challenging for him to navigate just because there was such a wide net. I think he did a really good job evaluating, learning what mattered to him, and then choosing based off of that.”
Jackson has been a member of the Brookwood varsity basketball team since eighth grade. Since his freshman year, the Warriors have lost no more than 11 games in a season and have won 22 or more in the last two seasons. The 6’9 Brookwood senior has been the catalyst of the Warriors’ success on the court. Jackson played with the Atlanta Celtics, a prestigious AAU program that handpicks its players, this past summer where he was able to further develop his skills.
“He exemplifies everything that we’re about. He is about relationships, he’s about growth, he’s about victory, he strives to win,” VanDuyne said about Jackson, who he described as having “grown into himself as a person”.
VanDuyne spoke on Jackson’s abilities on the court saying, “His skill set is just off the charts. He’s gotten better and better and better each year in every area. He’s growth-minded. He’s been the anchor of our program, he anchors our defense, he’s a finisher on the offensive end. People come to watch him just because of the dunks and blocks. He’s an exciting player so he’s obviously been a foundational piece to what we’re doing here.”
A prolific shot blocker and a natural scorer, Jackson’s college basketball career was a matter of where not if. And now we know where.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, has a solid basketball program with a good history. Head coach Steve Ridder has led the Eagles since the 1989-1990 season and has an overall record of 781-328.
Brookwood has attended the Embry-Riddle summer basketball camp for the past two summers and this second year is where Jackson caught the eye of the Eagles.
“That is a great great program,” VanDuyne said. “They care about it, they’re invested, they’re fully funded, they win. It’s just a very high-quality Division II program.”
ERAU has secured a winning season in each of the last four seasons, including a 22-win season last year. In the 2023-2024 season, the Eagles secured a win in the Sunshine State Conference tournament and made it to the second round of the NCAA II Basketball Tournament where they lost to eventual runner-up Nova Southern. They got a top-25 win over Florida Southern in early February.
Congratulations to Brookwood’s Walker Jackson on his commitment.
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“It was everywhere, from the highest levels to the lowest levels,” said Brookwood head basketball coach Nate VanDuyne on Jackson’s recruitment, which he described as “wild”. “It was something that was really, I think, challenging for him to navigate just because there was such a wide net. I think he did a really good job evaluating, learning what mattered to him, and then choosing based off of that.”
Jackson has been a member of the Brookwood varsity basketball team since eighth grade. Since his freshman year, the Warriors have lost no more than 11 games in a season and have won 22 or more in the last two seasons. The 6’9 Brookwood senior has been the catalyst of the Warriors’ success on the court. Jackson played with the Atlanta Celtics, a prestigious AAU program that handpicks its players, this past summer where he was able to further develop his skills.
“He exemplifies everything that we’re about. He is about relationships, he’s about growth, he’s about victory, he strives to win,” VanDuyne said about Jackson, who he described as having “grown into himself as a person”.
VanDuyne spoke on Jackson’s abilities on the court saying, “His skill set is just off the charts. He’s gotten better and better and better each year in every area. He’s growth-minded. He’s been the anchor of our program, he anchors our defense, he’s a finisher on the offensive end. People come to watch him just because of the dunks and blocks. He’s an exciting player so he’s obviously been a foundational piece to what we’re doing here.”
A prolific shot blocker and a natural scorer, Jackson’s college basketball career was a matter of where not if. And now we know where.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, has a solid basketball program with a good history. Head coach Steve Ridder has led the Eagles since the 1989-1990 season and has an overall record of 781-328.
Brookwood has attended the Embry-Riddle summer basketball camp for the past two summers and this second year is where Jackson caught the eye of the Eagles.
“That is a great great program,” VanDuyne said. “They care about it, they’re invested, they’re fully funded, they win. It’s just a very high-quality Division II program.”
ERAU has secured a winning season in each of the last four seasons, including a 22-win season last year. In the 2023-2024 season, the Eagles secured a win in the Sunshine State Conference tournament and made it to the second round of the NCAA II Basketball Tournament where they lost to eventual runner-up Nova Southern. They got a top-25 win over Florida Southern in early February.
Congratulations to Brookwood’s Walker Jackson on his commitment.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.