Cleveland State's Jamal Jackson Found Dead

BOSTON - Cleveland State basketball standout Jamal Jackson was fatally stabbed early yesterday, hours before he was due back on campus.

Jackson's body was found face down outside a Tremont Street clothing store about 4:25 a.m., Boston police Lt. Robert O'Toole said. The 22-year-old was taken to Boston City Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for an unidentified suspect but had made no arrests as of last night.

Jackson, a 6-foot-6 forward from Mattapan, Mass., had been taking summer classes at Cleveland State and was on a visit home when he was killed.

"His biggest goal was to play in the NBA, that's all he talked about," Cleveland State Coach Mike Boyd said.

Jackson averaged 16.1 points and 8.1 rebounds to lead the Vikings last year. He was the fourth sophomore in the school's 64-year basketball history to have more than 400 points and 200 rebounds in a season.