Jackson McAndrew is hungry to get back on the basketball court with Creighton men’s basketball in 2026 after an injury sidelined him for the majority of the 2025-2026 season.
The junior forward played in four games in 2025 before aggravating a foot injury he suffered during the preseason, which required season-ending surgery to address.
“Obviously, I wasn’t able to walk or run or play basketball, but I could control how I was in rehab or how I was in the weight room,” McAndrew told Hurrdat Sports. “I just looked forward to those things and being able to push myself in those areas even though it’s not basketball. I was just motivated to get back to these guys and this program, because they mean a lot to me and I just wanted to put on the Creighton jersey again.”
The rehab paid off as McAndrew returned to the court for the start of Creighton’s summer workouts, stronger and more mobile than the last time Creighton fans saw him on the court.
“I think I feel better,” McAndrew said. “I think I’m moving better too and really starting this last month to get a better feel for things and better feel for playing. Obviously, it kind of goes out the window when you sit out for that long, but I definitely feel stronger than I did before, and I’m moving better.”
As a freshman, McAndrew started 31 games and averaged 7.8 points while sinking 69 3-pointers, the most by a Creighton freshman in program history. He was also the first Bluejay to be named to the Big East All-Freshman Team since 2021-2022.
Jackson McAndrew sits on the scorer’s table before a college basketball game against Nicholls on Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. Photo by Brandon Tiedemann.
The following season didn’t go how he hoped, however. McAndrew said he noticed his foot was bothering him prior to the team’s exhibition game against Iowa State. He sat out that game but tried returning soon after. The decision to play again came at a cost, with McAndrew’s sophomore season ending shortly after it began.
His final game was against North Dakota, his father’s alma mater, but he didn’t make it to the second half as the pain became too much to manage. He had surgery a week later.
“I broke down,” McAndrew said of his reaction after finding out that he’d need surgery. “(Greg McDermott) was in there when he told me, and he was very comforting too, in that time. I figured it was maybe a couple month deal or something, but I didn’t realize it was going to be that long. So when he told me I was kind of just heartbroken.”
However, McAndrew was able to overcome it with the help of his support system, which includes his coaches, family, friends, and teammates. He said he learned a lot about himself through the process.
“I think you really find out who you are when stuff like that happens, especially as an athlete,” McAndrew said. “So I think it was just not giving up hope and just battling back every day, because obviously it was a long process. So just finding that motivation to come every day and work to get better.”
Now back in the nix, McAndrew will look to help the Bluejays get better to after Creighton finished 16-18 and missed the NCAA Tournament in McDermott’s final season at the helm.
“We know that we weren’t up to the standard basketball-wise last year, and we have a lot of unfinished business we need to do,” McAndrew said. “So we’re all very motivated to reach our goals, and to reach what we want to become, and we know we can do those things.”
Creighton will work to accomplish its goals under new head coach Alan Huss. The former Bluejay associate head coach and coach-in-waiting became the Bluejays’ leading man after McDermott retired following the College Basketball Crown tournament in April.
Jackson McAndrew runs out onto the court during starting lineup announcements against South Dakota on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. Photo by Brandon Tiedemann.
“He’s just a super smart basketball mind, and he really knows the game,” McAndrew said of Huss. “He’s a really great coach, he connects with his guys well and I really enjoy playing for him.”
McAndrew will have the chance to play for Huss in game action soon. McAndrew said Huss is instilling the importance of competitiveness into the team ahead of the season. The team is working to improve every day, with goals of winning big this year.
“We want to win the Big East Tournament and the Big East regular season,” McAndrew said. “We want to go on to March Madness and make a deep run. Those are all things that are obtainable for us and that we can reach for sure.”
As for McAndrew’s expectations for himself, he wants Creighton fans to know that he’ll give the team his all every time he steps out onto the court.
“They can expect a guy that’s going to bring a lot of fun to CHI,” McAndrew said. “I’m going to work hard, play the right way and bring a lot of winning.”
For now, the Bluejays will continue to prepare for the season. Creighton’s first exhibition game will be against Iowa State on Oct. 18.
