Augusta, Ga. - Two years ago, Augusta University basketball player Amari Jackson was suiting up for Florida Southern. But there was something missing for Jackson and that was the desire to win. Thus the reason she entered the transfer portal and ended up in Augusta. She wanted to win and have a better relationship with her teammates and coaches. Now, she's been winning a lot and has been a major contributor to the Jaguars over the past two seasons.

While her initial trip to Augusta was a long journey from her home in Florida, she knew pretty quick, AU was the place for her.

"When I came here the coaches were very, very welcoming. They showed me around and I had a workout, and I remember saying, 'that was a really good workout,' but I enjoyed it. This is what I more want to do. A couple of days after I came back home, I was, yeah, I want to go there," said Jackson. 



The psychology major is now on the brink of finishing her career in a couple of months. But her senior year almost didn't happen due to an injury. Jackson had a stress reaction in her shin and found herself in a boot for over a month. It was a frustrating time for her since she thought she would have to red shirt this season. 

"I was really scared whenever I went to the doctors. They had answers, but it wasn't a definite answer. It was always okay, but. And I was like, what's the time frame?" said Jackson.

She was cleared to play in early December and hasn't looked back. In fact, her game has elevated. Part of that, her desire to win, part of that, being a senior leader. She was thrust into that role, but has embraced it.

"I definitely think I've stepped up, and I'm continuing to step up and being that leader and that returner, someone who's been here and that others can confide in. I know what they are going through." 

By basketball terms, Jackson was a late bloomer. She never really played until middle school and the main reason, she was tall for her age. Jackson went to a private school her first three years of high school and did score over 1,000 points. She realized she wanted to play college basketball and for her senior season,attended DME Sports Academy knowing they were more serious in preparing young athletes.

Four years later, her career is winding down and she thinks about it on a regular basis. She said it's really sad, but it's driving her to make the most out of every practice and game.

Jackson also knows the season may last longer into March since the team is winning and towards the top of the Peach Belt Conference standings. 

"I feel like we have so many different pieces, like offensively, defensively, I feel like we're unarguable," said Jackson. "I really, I really feel like we're gonna win. We're gonna win the conference."

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