ESPN

Chat with Marc Jackson on Feb. 3. /NBAE/Getty Images

A veteran of five years in the NBA, 76ers center and Philadelphia native Marc Jackson's professional career has spanned the globe.

Jackson was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the second round (38th pick overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft after his junior season at Temple University. However, before making the jump to the NBA, he played three seasons internationally (1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000) making stops in Tofas Bursa (Turkey), Lobos Caja Cantabria (Spain) and Cantabria Lobos (Spain).

Jackson eventually joined the Warriors for the 2000-01 season, where he finished third in the Rookie of the Year balloting (behind Mike Miller and Kenyon Martin) and was an All-Rookie selection. He would be traded by the Warriors to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 21, 2002. where he would spend a season and a half. Jackson, who attended Philadelphia?s Roman Catholic High School, finally came full circle in 2003, when he was acquired by the Sixers from Minnesota in a three-team deal on July 23, 2003.

Jackson is having a much better season in 2004-05 than he did in 2003-04 when he missed 57 games due to injury that included surgery on his fractured left ring finger, and a left foot stress reaction and bone contusion which hampered the later stages of his season. So far this year, Jackson ranks second on the team in scoring (12.9) and has scored 20 or more points four times. He has started 22 times and played in all 43 games as of Jan. 31.

Jackson has continually taken an interest in the community. Teaming up with the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank for the second-straight year, Jackson has donated 300 turkey dinners to area families. He also has served as the Honorary Commissioner of the 76ers Playground Rebound program, which has provided new backboards to 12 Philadelphia playgrounds. In November 2003, Jackson received the NBA?s Community Assist Award along with teammate Aaron McKie, recognizing their dedication to the Philadelphia Community.

Jackson is scheduled to chat live with fans on Thursday, Feb. 3.