Jackson Signs With NCAA D-II West Florida, Follows Somerfield's Path

Shondell Jackson attempts a layup against Jackson College in December of this past season. Photo by Owens Sports Information
Shondell Jackson attempts a layup against Jackson College in December of this past season. Photo by Owens Sports Information
Posted: Aug 01, 2017

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---Shondell Jackson (Warren Harding/Warren, Ohio), a sophomore guard who averaged 11.8 points per game for the Owens Community College men's basketball team this past season, has signed with NCAA Division II University of West Florida.

Jackson becomes the second Owens men's basketball student-athlete to sign with a four-year school. He joins Derrik Jamerson Jr. (Cornerstone/Pontiac, Mich.), who previously signed with NCAA Division I Norfolk State University.

"Shondell is an outstanding addition to our team who can score in a variety of ways," third-year West Florida men's basketball head coach Jeff Burkhamer told GoArgos.com. "He is very good at getting into the paint. He can make mid-range shots and 3-pointers. He should be an outstanding rebounder and defender for us. He gives us a big wing that can do many things on both ends of the floor. His size and skill level will translate well to the Gulf South Conference."

The signing now gives Burkhamer his second Owens product in three years. Austin Somerfield, who averaged 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds for Owens in the 2014-15 season, averaged a team-high 13.8 points per game as a senior for the Argonauts this past season. In fact, both Jackson and Somerfield transferred to Owens for their sophomore years before moving on to the Sunshine State.

In 2016-17, Jackson shot 47 percent from the field for Owens, including a 71 percent finish from the foul line. He scored a season-high 22 points on Nov. 22 against Lansing Community College and Feb. 15 against Edison Community College.

Owens finished 23-9 overall last year. The team's 12-4 record in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) play resulted in a third place finish. The team advanced to the semifinals of the Region XII District 11 tournament before falling to Cuyahoga Community College.

West Florida finished 20-9 overall last year, including a 14-8 record in the Gulf South Conference.  The team's season ended with a one-point loss to Christian Brothers in the Gulf South Conference tournament opening round.