Andre Jackson made up his mind about a week ago that he would commit to the UConn basketball program.

On Wednesday, Jackson, an athletic 6-foot-6 wing and top 75 recruit in the Class of 2020, made it official, announcing his decision during a press conference at his high school, Albany (N.Y.) Academy.

"A week ago we had it set," Jackson told reporters at his high school. "We knew it was happening, we just had to figure out the time and date. It's definitely good to get it off my chest."

Jackson was one of UConn's top targets and fits Hurley's need for a big guard. He picked the Huskies over Syracuse, Iowa, UCLA and Maryland.

The fact that UConn is joining the Big East Conference next season was a factor in his choice.

"I definitely could have chosen a school higher up in the rankings or something like that when they were recruiting me early in the process but I feel like I have a chance to really do something and go leave my mark on the program," Jackson said.

Prior to his official visit to Storrs on the weekend of Sept. 20-22, Syracuse was considered the front-runner for Jackson. But Jackson fell for UConn that weekend after spending extended time with coach Dan Hurley, his staff and players. He also was on campus last season for a game in early March when Ray Allen's number was retired.

Jackson canceled a visit to Iowa scheduled for last weekend and stopped by UConn again instead. He is Hurley's first commitment in the Class of 2020.

"I mean, he was pumped," said Jackson of Hurley's reaction when he told him the news. "That's just his personality and how he gets. He was real excited and I was real excited. ... I feel like it fits my playing style as well as my character."

With the addition of Jackson, the Huskies have crossed a major item off their recruiting list. Their next priority is securing a commitment from a frontcourt player.

Jackson's stock rose after a productive summer playing on the AAU circuit for the Albany City Rocks. At the Peach Jam Invitational in July, he averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block while shooting 53 percent from the field in six games. Those numbers are similar to what he put up last season (18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists) at Albany Academy.

"As a player, he continues to get better," Albany Academy coach Brian Fruscio said. "The work he put in this summer on his jump shot, which is the big question mark in his game, has been amazing."

Former UConn player Jonathan Mandeldove once served as an assistant coach for Jackson's AAU team on the under-15 level. He also coached Andre's brother, Marcus.

"Love the kid," Mandeldove said during a phone conversation. "He works hard, does it the right way and he's an extremely talented young man.

" ... A great, great kid. He makes the right decisions. He's a team player that comes from a system at Albany Academy that the team comes first. Whatever he needs to do for the team, he's willing to do it. He does have that mindset that sometimes is hard to find with kids as talented as he is."

Mandeldove, now an assistant at Winchendon School, believes Jackson is a good fit for the Huskies, especially on the defensive end. He added that defense is Jackson's calling card.

Jackson is a good teammate, too, according to Mandeldove.

"He's humble but yet has a chip on his shoulder," Mandeldove said. "That's another telltale sign for guys that will fit Hurley's system. ... Adding Andre to the fold, there's a lot of guys out there in the country that would love to play with a guy like Andre who would make the next guy better due to the fact how hard he is playing."

g.keefe@theday.com