Al Jackson, free agent guard with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has always been at the wrong place at the wrong time -- until now, that is.

The former Benedictine High School and Wilberforce College scoring whiz gaining momentum toward landing a job with the Cavaliers.

JACKSON is making his third try at professional basketball and he vows it will be his last.

"This is it," said the articulate rookie. "If I don't make it now, there won't be any more opportunity. Not too many teams are interested in a 27-year-old rookie.

"I feel I have a good chance to make this club. I now have confidence in my ability, something I didn't have in the past."

After graduating from Wilberforce in 1967, Jackson was invited to the Cincinnati Royals' camp, but was ultimately cut after the first five league games.

The following year Al went to rookie camp with the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association. "They invited me back to their regular camp, but they had 20 guards on the roster so I didn't even bother to go," he added.

JACKSON was one of the most impressive candidates at the Cavaliers' rookie camp in June. He scored 24 points in Cleveland's victory over the Buffalo Braves' yearlings. That performance earned Jackson an invitation to the Cavs' regular camp at Baldwin-Wallace College.

Jackson hit 17 points and added numerous assists in the varsity's full-scale scrimmage last Saturday night.

Jackson admits he profited by his experience with the Royals.

"In high school and college I was a pure shooter," said Jackson. "It always seemed that I had to score around 30 points if we were going to win. But in the pros, shooters are a dime a dozen.

"Oscar Robertson spent a lot of time with me on passing. He helped me a lot. Oscar said if you hesitate a tenth of a second you'll miss your pass.

"THEY LOOK for the complete ball player in the pros," continued Jackson. "Sure, you have to shoot, but only to keep defense honest."

He is making a strong bid for a spot on the Cavaliers' 12-man roster, but has one regret, "I wish this were 1967." It's still the wrong time for Al Jackson, but he's certainly in the right place.

This article originally appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer September 15, 1970.