Gopher alum Bobby Jackson hired by Timberwolves

Feb 7, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings assistant coach Bobby Jackson against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Kings 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Former University of Minnesota basketball star, Bobby Jackson, will be the next player development coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves, announced the team on Monday.

Jackson, who played for the Golden Gophers from 1995-97, is a fan favorite in the Twin Cities and one of the most revered Gophers after he led Minnesota to the Final Four in 1997.

“In Bobby Jackson, we are bringing a Minnesota basketball icon back to our state,” said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves president of basketball operations.

Jackson averaged more than 15 points per game for the Gophers along with six rebounds and four assists. Following Minnesota, Jackson was drafted 23rd overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets before ever suiting up for Seattle.

In 12 years of playing in the NBA, Jackson averaged 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while also winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2003 when he was a member of the Sacramento Kings.

Jackson played on six different NBA teams in his career, including a two-year stint with the Timberwolves from 1998 to 2000.

Since retiring as a player in 2009, Jackson had been an assistant coach with the Kings.

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