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SALT LAKE CITY — A little home cooking has done Frank Jackson plenty of good.
The former Lone Peak star who is averaging 21.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for the Salt Lake City Stars had 15 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in Team Luka's 178-162 win Sunday afternoon over Team Scoot in the annual NBA G League Next Up Game held at the Huntsman Center.
It was another strong offensive performance for Jackson, the former New Orleans Pelicans 2017 draft pick whose career also took him to Detroit and the G League's Texas Legends before signing with the Stars in October.
Sure, Sunday may have been an All-Star Game, with typical all-star levels of defense — and Jackson certainly has plenty of improvement to make to get back to the NBA — but he showed that he can still score at any level. The 24-year-old former five-star recruit, who played one season at Duke, can still score with the best of them.
"I feel like I'm right in the middle of everything, but this is also a clean slate and fresh start with my prior five years in the league," said Jackson, whose highlights included a 360 hammer dunk in the first half. "It's cool that I can translate my experience of the last couple of years, being around some real professional veterans, and bring it to this environment. It's been awesome, and really eye-opening."
Sunday was more of a homecoming for Jackson than others, and not just in Salt Lake City where he currently plays professionally at the Maverik Center.
FRANK JACKSON WITH THE 360 FLUSH! 😲 @slcstarspic.twitter.com/IvJtGTHZk8
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 19, 2023
That's because Sunday was also the first time Jackson had played in the Huntsman Center since the final game of his high school career, when he was named a McDonald's All-American and Deseret News Mr. Basketball.
"I walked out here when I got in, and it just kind of smacked me in the face," Jackson said. "This was home, and it's nice to be back here. It was good vibes and good memories. I love this state, and the people here love basketball and anything in the community. It's cool to be in this atmosphere again."
Homecoming was also kind to former Utah State center Neemias Queta. The 7-foot Portuguese center had 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting to go along with nine rebounds and five assists for Team Scoot.
Like Jackson, Queta also felt right at home when he flew in to see the familiar Wasatch Front prior to the week.
"Out of all the places it could've been, the only place it could've been better is probably Logan," said Queta, a two-way player for the Sacramento Kings who averages 18.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game for the G League affiliate in Stockton, California. "This is the state where I went to school, and I can call it home. It was good for me to have this experience; I can cherish it.
"I love the mountains," he added. "I had a great view from my apartment back in Logan, and I definitely miss the mountains."
Similar to their their NBA counterparts, the G League contingent of All-Stars — a group that included former Iowa star Luka Garza, former BYU standout Eric Mika, and 2023 NBA Slam Dunk champion Mac MacClung (who did not play in Sunday's game) — had glowing reviews of Salt Lake as it became the first NBA All-Star city to also host the G League.
"All-Star weekend in Salt Lake was a great experience," said G League Ignite's Scoot Henderson, a top 2023 NBA draft prospect who had 19 points, four rebounds and six assists Sunday. "I've been here once (to play the Stars), and didn't really explore the city at all. But to have All-Star weekend here, I think it turned out well. I'm glad we could bring fans in Salt Lake City a chance to enjoy the show, and enjoy the weekend."
But none of them needed to ask hometown athlete Jackson for restaurant recommendations or nightlife suggestions. Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and the rest of the NBA's executive group took care of all that.
"I just feel like anywhere you went, everyone was trying to have a good time," Jackson said. "It's been positive, and people have been open to meet new people. ... It's been a great weekend, not only for guys in the league, but for the state of Utah. What an opportunity."
Team Scoot is coming out HOT! 🔥 Back-to-back dunks from Neemias Queta and Leonard Miller!#NBAAllStar#GLeagueNextUpGamepic.twitter.com/yFojUOAJx3
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 19, 2023
