Philip Douglas Jackson was born on September 17, 1945, in Deer Lodge, Montana, to Charles and Elisabeth Funk Jackson. Both of his parents were ministers in the Assemblies of God church, highly active in their religious community—his father typically preaching on Sunday mornings and his mother in the evenings. Jackson grew up in a devout and disciplined household alongside his two brothers and a half-sister in a remote area of Montana. The family adhered to strict religious rules, which forbade activities such as dancing and watching television. In fact, Jackson didn’t see his first movie until he was a senior in high school.
Jackson attended high school in Williston, North Dakota, where he excelled athletically. As a key player on the school's varsity basketball team, he helped lead the team to two state championships. His athleticism extended beyond basketball; he also played football, baseball, and participated in track and field events. His multi-sport talent eventually earned him a spot at the University of North Dakota. While in college, he joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and flourished on the basketball court under the guidance of coach Bill Fitch.
In 1967, Jackson was selected by the New York Knicks in the second round of the NBA Draft. Though he was not a regular starter, Jackson became known as a valuable rotation player and a fan favorite due to his tenacity and energy off the bench. His contributions helped the Knicks secure NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973, although he missed the 1970 season due to spinal fusion surgery. Over the course of his playing career, he was respected for his defensive skills and basketball IQ more than for flashy statistics.
| Birth Date: | 17 Sep, 1945 |
| Age: | 74 yrs |
| Occupations: | Basketball player Basketball coach Coach |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Deer Lodge |
| residence: | North Dakota Montana Deer Lodge |
| Education: | University of North Dakota |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | Basketball coach and former player from the United States |
| Net Worth 2021: | 70 million |
