Jackie Jackson

"Jumpin'" Jackie Jackson (January 25, 1940 – May 4, 2019) was an American professional basketball player who became one of the first streetball legends at the Rucker Playground Basketball Tournaments in New York City in the early 1960s. Born in New Bern, North Carolina, Jackson moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York as a child. He played for Boys High School alongside baseball player Tommy Davis, Lenny Wilkens, and Connie Hawkins. At Virginia Union University his leaping ability emerged: he averaged over 20 rebounds per game, was known for jumping over defenders' heads on fast breaks, and was named CIAA freshman of the year in 1958. During the summers he played for the Brooklyn All Star team in the Rucker Park Tournaments alongside his childhood friend Connie Hawkins and New York Knick Walt Bellamy, building his playground reputation by dunking over Wilt Chamberlain. Jackson went on to a 20-year career with the Harlem Globetrotters. He earned his nickname by allegedly snatching a quarter from the top of a basketball backboard on a bet.