More from The Q&A: Darnell Jackson

On the verge of beginning his second season in the NBA, Darnell Jackson returned to Cleveland earlier this week.

Some of his final hours in Oklahoma City, though, were spent giving out backpacks and school supplies to disadvantaged kids at Hillcrest Elementary School. He signed autographs. He took pictures. And in a small way, he let the kids know that a kid from Oklahoma City can achieve anything.

He did.

Jackson played for a national championship team at Kansas, then landed a spot with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jenni Carlson: Did you have a pinch-me moment this past year as an NBA rookie?

Darnell Jackson: I did. I used to wake up every day when my alarm would go off, and when I’d have an off day, I’d think, “I don’t have anything to do.” I was like, man, I really made it.

JC: Didn’t have to run off to work a job to make ends meet.

DJ: Just work out. That’s my job. I love every minute of it.

JC: You are something of a cult hero in Lawrence, Kan., where you played college ball. What’s it like going back there?

DJ: In Lawrence, I don’t know what it is about that place. When I first watched Kansas play on ESPN, I was watching Drew Gooden. When he scored a basket, the fans just went crazy. I was like, “I want to go there.” When I got there, I was home. It felt comfortable. It felt like I belonged. Every time I go back … the fans, they really support you.