‘He hits first’: Pontiac native Jackson imposes will in Pacers’ win over Pistons

Detroit News

Detroit — As a child, Isaiah Jackson was given the nickname, “Caveboy,” by his father because he was more courageous, stronger and energetic than most boys his age.

Those same attributes carried over to the basketball court, and they were on display Saturday, as Jackson led the Indiana Pacers to a 121-115 victory in his homecoming game against the Pistons.

The Pacers were without the services of Myles Turner due to a lower-back injury, so Jackson’s name was called for his first start in nearly two months. Jackson had several emotions before the game, with it being his second NBA game in his hometown, but as soon as the ball was tipped, those feelings faded and the Pontiac native shifted his attention toward helping his team win.

That, he did.

The 6-foot-10 center took advantage of his opportunity and dominated Detroit’s short-handed frontcourt. He played above and below the rim, with explosive dunks and contact-absorbing finishes. He also showcased his skills on the defensive end with a pair of forceful blocks.

Jackson set new season highs in points (19) and rebounds (11) in front of approximately 80-100 friends and family members at Little Caesars Arena, the first of two games in three days in his hometown.

“From the shootaround this morning, I felt the energy,” Jackson told The Detroit News. “I already knew my people were gonna be here. It means a lot too, just to come out here and get a win and play a great game tonight. It means a lot, especially for these guys. I know they’re excited about it, and seeing them out there means the world.”

Jackson was born in Pontiac and attended Lutheran Northwest High School in Rochester Hills as a freshman before transferring to Old Redford Academy in Detroit for his sophomore season. He switched schools two more times for his junior and senior seasons, playing for SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio alongside Hornets guard LaMelo Ball before returning to Michigan and graduating from Waterford Mott High School.

He earned Mr. Basketball honors in Michigan after he averaged 19.7 points, 13 rebounds, 7.7 blocks, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a senior at Mott.

Jackson played one season at Kentucky and averaged 8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game before declaring for the NBA Draft in 2021. He was selected with the 22nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, before he was traded to the Pacers in the five-team deal for Russell Westbrook.

Fan in the stands

Wesley Jackson, Isaiah’s father, watched his son make game-changing play after another in the 100-level section of Little Caesars Arena. Whether it was the lob with two hands for a dunk over Isaiah Livers or his tip-in after his own missed shot, Wesley reacted as any dad would, as he clapped from the stands. Those hustle plays reminded Wesley of when Jackson displayed the same amount of effort during his childhood.

“At a very young age, he was just more energetic than his siblings and everybody else,” Jackson’s father, Wesley, told The News. “I dubbed the nickname, “Caveboy,” for him because he played around the house with so much tenacity. Always bouncing off the walls. I would have to tell him to calm down, chill out and things like that, but that’s what he uses now when he plays big in games. He just brings that energy.”

Isaiah said his football roots before he picked up a basketball lent themselves useful to his aggressive approach on the court.

“It’s always been in me since I picked up a ball. When I started with basketball, I just played hard all the time. It just took off. That was a skill of mine, something I can lean back on when I’m not shooting the ball well or touches are not going, I just know I can play aggressive, on the offensive boards, blocking shots, playing defense and doing all the dirty work.”

Jackson’s dad wasn’t the only one to notice his son’s intensity from afar. Pistons coach Dwane Casey emphasized that Jackson’s force was an attribute that Detroit’s young bigs should mimic going forward.

“He played with force,” Casey said. “I don’t care how big you are, how tall you are, how many bigs you have on the floor, you have to play with force and hit first. If you look at the video with him, he hits first. If you don’t hit him, he’s gonna be right at the rim tearing it down … You’ve got to hit a guy like that. He’s persistent. He’s coming and he doesn’t take possessions off.”

Jackson will get another shot at his hometown team on Monday night, which is also being recognized as “313 Day” at Little Caesars Arena to celebrate all things related to Detroit’s culture and history. He’s aware that he’ll be a focal point on the Pistons’ scouting report after his dominant game on Saturday, but his mission is to continue to prove that he belongs in the NBA.

“I just want to prove myself and show that I belong,” Jackson said. “I already got here, that’s the hard part. But, I just want to keep improving every day and just get better.”

Omoruyi earns second 10-day contract

Pistons coach Dwane Casey said Sunday afternoon that Eugene Omoruyi would likely earn a second 10-day contract after his productive five games with the franchise during his first tryout deal.

On Monday, the Pistons made it official and inked Omoruyi to another 10-day contract.

The 6-foot-7 Omoruyi averaged 8.2 points and 2.6 rebounds on 47% from the field and 90% (10-of-11) from the free-throw line in his brief time with the Pistons. He also appeared in 23 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder this season and averaged 4.9 points and 2.3 rebounds.

“That young man knows how to play and knows how to defend,” Casey said. “He puts his body in harm’s way without even a question. It’s impressive the way he’s come in and taken advantage of the opportunity.”

Omoruyi will have another five games to contribute to the injury-riddled Pistons, starting with Monday and Tuesday’s back-to-back against the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards. Players cannot earn more than two 10-day contracts in a season. Omoruyi’s latest contract will expire on March 22, and the Pistons will need to make a decision on whether to give him a contract for the rest of the season or release him.

mcurtis@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @MikeACurtis2

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