Josh Jackson with Brindisi coach Piero Bucchi during a Serie A1 match against Varese.

Joshua Jackson fulfilled one of his sporting ambitions late last month when he joined Italian Serie A1 giants Brindisi.

The 28-year-old American guard, who also owns a Maltese passport, has accepted a short one-month contract with Piero Bucchi’s team with an option to extend his stay at the outfit in the region of Puglia until the end of the season.

Jackson was born in Malta and is the son of former Ħamrun basketball club player Daryl Jackson.

He has already made two ap-pearances for Brindisi.

Jackson potted six points in Brindisi’s crushing 96-70 victory over Varese two weeks ago and last Sunday he played his part in a 64-53 home win over Caserta at the PalaPentassuglia.

“I always wanted this to happen in my basketball career,” Jackson told Times of Malta yesterday.

“Playing in a prestigious championship like the Italian Serie A1 is a life-time ambition for players like me. It’s the realisation of years of hard work.

“I played in other championships in Europe, like Romania and Germany, but all of them are well off the prestige of the Italian league.

“The players at Brindisi and the coach have made me feel at home straight away and that helped me and my wife to get accustomed quickly to the new surroundings.

“I’m am looking to earn my spot in this team so I am training as hard as I can to ensure that I can play for Brindisi beyond this season.”

Jackson, signed to fill the void of injured Brindisi captain Marco Bulleri, started his European adventure in 2010 with Romanian side BC Steaua Turabo Bucharest and the following season he agreed to join Cypriot side InterCollege Etha.

At Etha, he earned his first championship medal after helping the team to win the national title before opting to join Georgia side Sokhumi Tbilisi.

In 2012, he moved to Germany with Neckar Giant Ludwingsburg.

Then, in off-season, Jackson returned to Tbilisi but this winter Jackson’s agent succeeded in convincing Brindisi to offer his client a contract.

Serie A1 level

Jackson said that the level of the game in Italy was high and basketball had a huge following.

“There are big players in Serie A,” the 1.90m-tall player said.

“All teams in the top division are well equipped and ambitious. On any day the bottom side of the league can create an upset. The game here is played on a very high intensity and it’s crucial for coaches to prepare well for each and every fixture.”

Brindisi are currently second in the championship on 32 points, just two adrift of leaders Emporio Armani Milano.

On Sunday, Brindisi have a tough trip to fellow league rivals Acqua Vitasnella Cantu at the Mapooro Arena and Jackson is hopeful he will maintain his perfect record in Italy with a third victory.

“It’s going to be a very difficult match for us,” Jackson said.

“Cantu have a very strong team, like Brindisi they are challenging for the title. They have some excellent players on their roster so it won’t be easy.

“For me a good performance against Cantu will be crucial to earn the faith of my coach and the rest of the team. That will be important to establish myself here in Brindisi.”

Jackson still has the desire to continue playing for the Maltese national team.

Since making his first bow in 2010, Jackson has helped the country win two bronze medals in the European Championships Division C.

This summer Paolo Di Fonzo’s national team will head to Gibraltar for the European Champion-ship and Jackson said he was ready to give his contribution if he makes the squad.

“My commitment towards the Maltese national team is unrelenting,” he said.

“Obviously, I will have to see how my club season develops in terms of schedule. But there is no doubt in my mind that if selected and I’m in a good physical condition I will travel with the team to Gibraltar.

“I have always enjoyed playing for the national team and I’m willing to do all I can to help the side achieve their goals.”