Syracuse, NY - On Friday, Lyrik’ Jackson, the all-time leading scorer in Syracuse Academy of Science history and All-American at Mohawk Valley Community College signed to play Division II basketball at the University of New Haven in Connecticut.

Jackson spent one year at Monroe Communtiy College when the women’s basketball program began to fold. She spoke with head coach Emily Durr in the summer before her sophomore year about playing for MVCC and Durr helped her transition. Jackson averaged about 26 points per game and helped lead the Hawks to a 17-7 record and No. 4 seed in the NJCAA Region III Tournament.

After her first year as head coach Durr has high praise for Jackson.

“Lyric’, first and foremost, is just a great person,” said Durr. “She was a great student for me. Always had a smile on her face when she walked in the gym. Just made coaching a dream job for me. We tell her all the time we couldn't have done what we did this year and the success we had on the court without her. Just a great kid who works hard in the gym and it really just shows with our record this year. They're (New Haven) getting a great player. The stats speak for themselves. But they're just really getting a great person and you can't have enough of those people on your team.”

“She’s (emily durr) is stuck with me for the rest of her life. I always tell her that,” said Jackson. “She always told me that you have the ability to go D-1, play Division II, but you go where it fits for you and I think New Haven, she also thinks that, it’s a great fit for me.”

Jackson said that she's looking forward to returning home to play against Le Moyne twice during the season.

Jackson signing and interview video is Courtesy of CNY Central.