April 18, 2005

Duquesne University head men's basketball coach Danny Nee today announced that Aaron Jackson (Hartford, Conn./Worcester (Mass.) Academy), a 6-2, 180-pound guard from Worcester (Mass.) Academy, has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Dukes this season. Jackson is the third member of the 2005-06 recruiting class.

Jackson, a native of Hartford, Conn., averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game for the 18-9 Hilltoppers which lost to Maine Central Institute, 99-82, in the first round of the New England Prep School Tournament. He topped the 20-point mark three times with a season-high 24 in an 88-77 loss to St. Thomas More and handed out a season-high 11 assists in a 97-78 win over New Hampton. He was one of four NCAA Division I recruits on the 2004-05 Worcester squad including his backcourtmate Jim Baron Jr. - son of Rhode Island head coach Jim Baron - who committed to URI.

Worcester Academy has produced three other current Atlantic 10 players in George Washington's Carl Elliott, Rhode Island's J.R. Moore and Dayton's Nick Stafford.

"Aaron is a good, sound player who comes from winning programs," said Nee. "His high school team won two state championships and he played at the highest level in prep school. He's a hard-nosed player who knows how to run a fast break. He also has the size and speed to be a very good defender."

Prior to enrolling at Worcester Academy, Jackson attended West Hartford (Conn.) Northwest Catholic where he was part of two state championship teams. H