PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — Life at the Power Five level didn’t start out so easy for Marreon Jackson.

The four-year Toledo standout transferred to Arizona State after the 2020-21 season, with an eye on his NBA draft stock and experiencing a Cadillac conference.

Eight points on 3 of 14 shooting, including 0-for-6 six from three-point range, is not how the ball-dominant point guard envisioned his Sun Devil career beginning. But that was his stat line in the first two games, which featured a loss to UC-Riverside on a three-quarter court shot at the buzzer.

The past two games have resembled the Jackson who won Mid-American Conference player of the year honors last season, the guy that Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley coveted. Jackson averaged 14.5 points while recording eight rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals, turning the ball over just four times.

“My explosiveness has definitely gotten better, getting past defenders and finishing above the rim,” Jackson said. “I’ve tried to get my lower body stronger so I can take contact and still finish.”

Jackson and his Arizona State teammates are in the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis, held just a few miles from where his former teammates are in the Baha Mar Nassau Championship. The bond with Toledo is still strong for Jackson, who keeps in touch with Setric Millner, Jr., Keshaun Saunders, Ryan Rollins, A.J. Edu, and the coaching staff.

“In the recruiting process, he was the guy I talked to,” Millner said. “Just getting info on what’s good at Toledo — how the coaches were, what the environment was like, how everything went on.”

All of the above worked out well for Jackson, who finished his Toledo career second in career 3-point field goals (307), third in career assists (574), and fourth in career free-throw percentage (.824). He was named to the Lou Henson Mid-Major All-American team last season after averaging 18.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 1.8 steals.

“We needed to replace our entire perimeter, and we thought the best way to go about it was taking advantage of the transfer portal. Marreon immediately became someone we targeted because of all the things he did at Toledo,” Hurley said. “I’m familiar with the league and have so much respect for the league. Without watching film, I knew if he was the player of the year in the MAC that he would be fine in the Pac-12.”

Jackson arrived in Tempe, Ariz., on June 13 and got to work right away, improving his game, blending in with his new teammates, and charting a path for the NCAA tournament. 

The on-court cohesion and off-court bond are one of the most important aspects of a team, according to Jackson, oftentimes proving to be the difference between wins and losses. Throughout his four seasons at UT, Jackson was a leader and one of the hardest workers.

“We’ve definitely built chemistry over time,” Jackson said about Arizona State. “It’s a great group of guys. This is going to be a special team. I can feel it.”

Allowing Jackson to be Jackson is Hurley’s aim. The 6-foot-1 Cleveland native is going to shoot the basketball frequently, sometimes that will include a poor shot selection, but it’s something coaches can live with because, above all else, Jackson is a creator.

“Veteran experience,” Hurley said. “There’s a real toughness to how he competes at both ends of the court. It’s special how intense he’s been defensively. He really sets the tone at that end of the floor. His leadership and command of the offense, his playmaking, his shot-making, getting teammates involved, he really strikes a good balance.

“He’s gone all-in. He’s thrown himself into our environment. He’s a durable guy and hasn’t missed many days. He’s earned the respect of his teammates by how he plays and how dependable he is every day. I think he’s helped facilitate a healthy environment on our team.”

The most striking trait Jackson has noticed going up a level in competition is the athleticism. There are passes he can throw at ASU that he doesn’t think he could pull off at Toledo. And the speed of the game has risen rapidly, requiring an even faster motor.

Hurley operates at a breakneck speed at both ends of the court. It’s a pace Jackson enjoys, but it was an acquired taste.

His love for the Rockets came quickly and remains genuine.

“I’m definitely going to be watching Toledo,” Jackson said. “It’s always going to be a second home for me. I spent four years there. Gave them four good years.”

First Published November 24, 2021, 6:20 p.m.