| Finding the open man is what Mark Jackson does best. The Utah Jazz Guard ranks fourth on the National Basketball Association's all-time assist list. Only former teammate John Stockton and Oscar Robertson have doled out more assists than Jackson, who is in his 17th NBA season. It is with the same success that Jackson shares something of even greater importance - his faith in Jesus Christ.
"I have a wonderful platform, a tremendous forum," said Jackson, selected to the NBA's East All-Star Team in 1989. "I have a great opportunity to just stand up and shout just how good God has been to me."
Jackson has shared the basketball - and that incredible message - with many players around the NBA. Since joining the league as New York's first-round draft choice in 1987, Jackson's travels have taken him to the Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana, Denver, Toronto, back to New York, Utah, and now Houston. Some may look at his career as that of a journeyman -Jackson sees things differently.
"People look at it as though I've been to so many places," said Jackson. "I look at it like a blessing. God has sent me different places to witness to different people, to share with different teammates and different organizations. It's a wonderful opportunity because it's just great to find new friends and, quite frankly, upset the enemy - upset the devil - because he knows when I'm in town I'm going to speak the truth. God has been so good to me that I have to tell people."
Jackson is also thankful for the date he had with a young lady during his second year in the NBA. There was no good night kiss at the end of the evening. Instead, only questions that forced him to face his eternity:
"Are you saved?" she asked. "Have you given your life to the Lord?"
"Up to that point, I prayed every night. I was a college graduate. I loved my parents. I didn't smoke, I didn't drink, didn't do all those things," added Jackson. "But the truth of the matter is, I was on my way to Hell."
That night, she led him in a prayer of salvation. Desiree, that young woman, became Jackson's wife. The couple is now expecting their fourth child. "If she wouldn't have surrendered and been obedient to God's Word and His call at that particular time, I wouldn't be here today," said Jackson. "If she would have sold out, it would have been a different ball game."
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