Lewis Jackson Will Return

By LEROY BRIDGES
H&R Staff Writer
When Lewis Jackson arrived in Champaign on Monday he got a weird feeling.
Perhaps it's because he won't see the court against the Illini in his home state tonight.
Jackson's homecoming this year is far different from last year's when Jackson entered as fulltime starter for the nationally ranked Boilers. Now, he's a fulltime cheerleader before he gets cleared to settle Purdue down at the point guard spot after a foot injury in early November.
"You definitely get a new perspective from the bench," Jackson said. "The process is going real well, ahead of schedule," Jackson said about recovery.
"But I am ready to get back."
It appears that will be sooner rather than later. Jackson is back to wearing two shoes for the most part after donning a protective boot for weeks.
And Jackson's hoping to never wear the boot again after going to the doctor on Wednesday. That's when he's likely to hear the words "You can start running."
"Basketball is important to Lewis," Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "When that is taken away, it crushes you. It crushed him.
"When somebody gets injured, and you have such high expectations after having a great freshman year like he did, you want to improve and have a better sophomore year."
With Jackson's sophomore year more than half gone, he still wants to get back on the floor. He hasn't thought much about the possibility of sitting out the rest of the season with a medical redshirt. He likes the idea of a full recovery by the end of January and then helping the team that's kept him involved in February.
That would get him back in time for the second matchup with Illinois.
"With the group of guys and all the people I have met outside of basketball, it makes you appreciate what Purdue gives you," Jackson said.
"For that, I will be back to help my team."
Considering the Boilers (14-3) are starting to show signs of needing a speedy point guard, that's good news for Painter. He's been pleased with the serious approach Jackson had with his academics while out and is ready to have his point guard back.
"His mom has done an excellent job raising him," Painter said. "Lew's done a great job and hopefully he continues to do that."
Jackson never thought his left foot would generate so much attention.
But for the past two months, that's all people want to talk about with the Purdue sophomore.
By now, everyone has heard about his injury, but few have been told what exactly happened to the Eisenhower product. So when Jackson showed up at the Decatur Turkey Tournament this year, he was hounded by inquiring minds.
"I might not have known how many people appreciated watching me play," Jackson said about people asking for updates on his foot. "People actually care about you. I appreciate all the support.
"I am playing for myself, but for other people, too."
Jackson's outlook on the injury hasn't always been so positive thanks in part to the unfortunate timing. Jackson was a day away from serving his third and final game of a suspension after a rocky offseason when it happened.
It was a Nov. 12 practice that he won't soon forget.
Senior teammate Chris Kramer went up to block his shot and landed on Jackson's foot. The diagnosis was a Lisfranc injury, which is caused by trauma to the top of the foot. The injury is uncommon, but it sidelined the Colts' Dwight Freeney for the final seven games of the 2007 season.
In Jackson's case, it was a torn ligament. If he didn't get it surgically repaired, every time he walked it would cause more damage. So, the following Tuesday (Nov. 17), Jackson went under the knife.
"Honestly, there are times you break down and wonder why this happened," Jackson said.
Thankfully, his mom, Zinda Jackson-Chargois, has been his savior.
From the beginning, Zinda has kept a positive outlook and helped her son stay on track emotionally. Sure, she wants her son to play the game he loves, but she just wants her baby healthy.
"I always tell him things happen for a reason," Zinda said. "I think it opens up his eyes that he really needs to get his education."
For the most part, that's what Lewis has been doing during recovery. He's been able to focus on school and spend time with his family during the holidays. He even connected with former Eisenhower teammate Jeremy Robinson, who's also in a state of transition after leaving Illinois State.
"We got to spend a lot of time together," Lewis said. "It's tough because we're both so competitive. Once you've been doing what you do and then you're not, it's a process of understanding how lucky we are to get to play."
Zinda's not so sure her son would have seen things that way a year ago. Being away from home and under the guidance of Purdue's coaching staff has matured Jackson.
"He has grown up," said Zinda, who talks to Lewis daily. "He's taken the injury much better than I thought he would."
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970

Published in the Herald & Review in January 2010.