BYU Basketball: Meet Jackson Emery, The Robin of the Jimmertime Show

Every hero needs to have a durable, trustworthy sidekick. Batman and Robin, Michael and Scottie, Karl and John, Jimmer and Jackson?

With Jimmer Fredette now a household name in the college basketball world, his trusty sidekick, Jackson Emery has gone largely unnoticed on the national scene. 

For those few folks who have The Mtn (the worst conference television contract in history), they most likely know who Jackson Emery is and his importance to BYU's 24-2 start this season.

With opposing defense's draping themselves all over Jimmer, Jackson Emery and other BYU Cougars have had the chance to show what a complete team they are.

Jackson thrives on his defense to open up his offense. With such quick hands and instincts, Emery leads the Mountain West in steals at 2.8 per game. His thievery has led him to recently pass Danny Ainge as the schools all-time leader in steals.

Those quick hands and instincts have provided the Cougars with many fast break and transition points, a portion of BYU's game they rely on heavily to take pressure off of Jimmer. 

It is not uncommon to see Emery turn on the jets and coast to the rim for a reverse lay-up or a two handed dunk.

At 12.7 points per game, Emery is the Cougars second leading scorer.  He has shot just under 38 percent from beyond the arc and other teams must account for another three point threat in Emery. 

While he doesn't quite have Jimmer range (who really does?), Emery is a legit threat for three at any given moment.

It is very clear that Emery understands his role on this BYU team.  He plays second fiddle to the Jimmer Show and he is just fine with that. 

It's almost like Jackson is a human Leatherman, a tool that has so many uses and can accomplish so many things.

Every team needs a guy who is willing to do the necessary dirty work to get a win.  There are times this season that Emery could have taken up permanent residence on the Marriott Center floor will all the loose balls he has dove for and tie-ups he has created. 

As Scottie Pippen once put it, "Sometimes a player's greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team."

Emery has mastered his role and as BYU nears the end of the conference season, the Jimmer and Jackson show will be in full force pushing the Cougars toward a second consecutive 30-win season and a hopeful high seed in the NCAA tournament.