Long Beach’s Jackson Is Dismissed

First-year Coach Wayne Morgan has dismissed starting forward Akeli Jackson from the Long Beach State basketball team Tuesday for displaying an attitude “contrary to team goals.”

Morgan said the redshirt junior, a key member of last season’s Big West Conference championship team, will retain his scholarship through the academic year.

“This has been very trying, but we need to have everyone on the same page and that hasn’t been the case so far,” Morgan said. “We have to get some attitude adjustments around here. I have to do this the way I think best.”

Morgan declined to specify the reasons for the dismissal, but several team sources said Jackson’s tardiness for mandatory meetings and criticism of Morgan contributed to the decision.

Although Morgan said he has left the door “slightly” ajar for Jackson to return this season, he does not expect him back.

Jackson did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Jackson, 6 feet 8 and 220 pounds, was averaging 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds--down from the 10.9 and 7.5 he averaged as a sophomore.

The 49ers are 4-6 overall, 0-1 in conference.