DaytonDailyNews.com

SPRINGFIELD — There aren't many games that South High School graduate Amanda Jackson hasn't won during her career. So the prospect of playing the waiting game after being cut by the WNBA's Chicago Sky in May didn't phase the former Miami University standout.

She's always been a winner, and when Jackson boarded a plane for Portugal on Friday, Oct. 3, she did so with another victory.

Jackson signed a pro contract to play basketball for Alges, Portugal — a suburb of the country's capital city, Lisbon.

"I'm excited. I waited all summer patiently for that phone call, and it finally came," said Jackson, the all-time leading scorer at Miami. "You played against people you know or who you played with, and they get the call. And you just kept waiting and hoping.

"But I'm happy. I feel I got a good deal."

Now the 5-foot-9 guard will get some much needed pro experience.

"I'm living the dream; I'm one step closer," Jackson said. "They told me when I was released by the Chicago Sky that I needed to get that experience. This is the experience I need to get back in the WNBA."

She'll find herself in a great position when she arrives. Alges has a point guard, but needs a scorer.

"They asked me if I could describe my game, what would I say, and I said, 'I am a scorer,' " Jackson said. "This is a good position because I like to shoot.

"I want to improve, and get my foot in the door," she continued. "At the same time, I want to take that experience for what it is worth and embrace a new culture."

She knows she's in for a little culture shock.

"It's a extreme difference," she admitted. "But I've been around all types of people, and I'm easy to get along with and have an open mind, so I'm going to go into there and have fun."

Will she get homesick?

"I see it coming; I've never been away from my family that long," Jackson said. "Even when I was away from family in college, I could come home when I wanted to.

"But I'll finally get a chance to experience life and being on my own. At Miami, I lived in the dorm. It'll be different having my own apartment."

But "different" is necessary.

"Life has its stages and processes, and this is just another transition for me."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0364 or krowe@coxohio.com.