Here's hoping that Jackson plays for France again

VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - Edwin Jackson doesn't need any reminding about the logjam that exists in France's backcourt.

The sweet-shooting, explosive guard was more often than not unable to force his way into the final national squad for the big events. Last June, when France were building up to the EuroBasket and he was let go after coach Vincent Collet trimmed his group to 16, Jackson tweeted that he'd had enough and was retiring from the national team. He was just 25.

Jackson admitted that he did not expect people to understand and he certainly did not want to be negative or to speak badly of anyone in the France set-up, especially the coaches.

How tough had it been for Jackson to get a spot in the squad? He was the MVP of the French league in the 2012-13 campaign but then wasn't selected to play at EuroBasket 2013. He served as a cheerleader back home while his country reached the top of the podium for the first time.

"I was happy because they're all my friends and for French basketball it was great," Jackson later told me. "After that, knowing I could have possibly made the team but missed the event, it's always hard. (But) You can't be mad at other people's happiness. I feel like my turn will come."

His turn did, in fact, come the next year. Collet included Jackson in what most people viewed as a weakened 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup squad and in limited minutes, he showed the one quality that has allowed him to have a solid professional career. Jackson shot 40 percent from three-point range in Spain, hitting eight of 20 shots. 

And you can't dismiss the importance of those contributions, either. Jackson nailed three of five from the arc and had 12 points in France's 74-73 win over Serbia on Day 2 and he also drilled his only three attempt in France's 95-93 triumph over Lithuania in the Bronze Medal Game. Every second and every point in every game matters, so Jackson can look back on his role in that tournament and know that he contributed.

When the summer arrived and Jackson was let go well before the final cut, he reacted. Is it too late to change his mind and try to play again for France? Absolutely not.

The reality is that now, he's having some big games under coach Joan Plaza at Unicaja Malaga. Staying in Spain and playing for a different club, albeit a very good one, looks to have been a good move. Jackson is playing very well for the team in the Euroleague. 

This week, for the sixth time, he had multiple three-pointers as Unicaja beat Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul, 70-62. He was three of five from the arc and had 20 points. What Jackson did against the Turkish club, though, bodes well for his future. He took over the game in crunch time. 

On one play in the fourth quarter, he exploded into the lane and had the dunk of the week. It elicited a roar from the crowd.

"I feel good," he said. "I am very happy that we started the Top 16 with a win. We know that if we want to make it to the playoffs, we have to win all of our home games, so starting like this, against a good team like Darussafaka, is very good. I played very bad in the first half and wanted to redeem myself in the second half. I got a little bit in my rhythm and thought this had to be my game and take over a little bit. I was lucky that the shots fell and am very happy we won."

Jackson's biggest problem may be that he is such a good shooter, some view him as a one-trick pony. If he continues to excel for a team like Unicaja and get big minutes, he is a potential asset for France.

Walter Herrmann of Argentina took a similar decision to stop playing for the national side while in his prime. Herrmann was a big hit with Baskonia (Laboral Kutxa) and made it in the NBA for a while with the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons. But a player who was vital in the Semi-Final triumph over the USA at the 2004 Olympics decided to call it quits with the national team after the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Herrmann had suffered personal tragedy a few years earlier and he did not play as much as he had hoped in 2006. Herrmann came back to the national team in 2014 at the World Cup as a 35-year-old, his best years behind him.

Jackson and Unicaja are not having a great run in the Spanish Liga Endesa. On Sunday night, they fell 81-70 at Valencia Basket. The hosts tried to deny him the ball and he ended up taking just three shots and scoring two points.

He is nevertheless have a good season overall. Jackson should keep enjoying his basketball and show everyone what a good player he is and hopefully let it be known that he'd like to play for Les Bleus again. I think his country will need him.

Jeff Taylor

FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.