Reggie Jackson is what you would call an “army brat.” His father, Saul, served as an Air Force officer. Saul and Sharon Jackson’s son was actually born in Italy. The Jacksons also spent time in England before moving to North Dakota when Reggie was 5.

Once they got back to the States, they still moved around a bit, living in Georgia and Florida before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was there where Jackson thrived as a basketball player, being named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2007-08.

From there he starred at Boston College, was a first-round pick of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and has enjoyed 13 NBA seasons with four teams.

For his 14th season, Jackson has found a new home in Philadelphia. “Home” feels like an apt way to put it when you consider the amount of familiarity Jackson has with this current Sixers team.

During his introductory presser Monday at the team’s practice facility, he was joined by Andre Drummond. The veteran big re-signed with the Sixers this offseason and was a teammate of Jackson’s for parts of six seasons with the Detroit Pistons.

Jackson joked that Drummond was the reason he chose Philly.

“That guy,” he said, pointing to Drummond.

Jackson also spent three-plus seasons in L.A. playing alongside the Sixers’ massive free-agent addition Paul George. It was actually George’s influence that led Jackson to the Clippers — even saving the veteran guard’s career.

In George, Jackson believes the Sixers are getting a special player.

“One of the most confident players in the league,” Jackson said of George. “I think we all know he’s probably the smoothest player in the league. Entertaining at all times. Nothing he can’t do. Three-level scorer, high-level defender. So you’re getting a superstar. (He’s) a guy who’s still hungry, a guy who still has a lot left in the tank, and a tremendous player. I can’t wait to see what he does in a Sixers jersey.”

Jackson’s had all types of different roles throughout his career.

With the Thunder, Jackson became a key cog for a legitimate contender. He then went from key role player to starting point guard when he was traded to the Pistons in 2015. Detroit is where Jackson enjoyed the most personal success as an NBA player until he was bought out by the rebuilding Pistons in 2020.

After contemplating retirement, he joined the Clippers, helping George and company reach the Western Conference Finals in 2021. After L.A. traded him to the Hornets at the 2023 deadline, he was bought out by Charlotte and then signed with Denver. Though Jackson didn’t play a significant postseason role, he was able to capture his first ring with the Nuggets that season.

Jackson played in all 82 regular-season games and all 12 playoff games for Denver in 2023-24. In a cost-cutting move, he was traded to Charlotte (again) and bought out by the Hornets (again).

Now, he’s in Philadelphia, where he has no illusions about what he’s here to do. Tyrese Maxey, a newly minted All-Star on a fresh max extension, is this team’s starting point guard. Kyle Lowry, a future Hall of Famer and favorite of head coach Nick Nurse, is Maxey’s primary backup.

Jackson said he’s kept his circle tight, which has allowed him to stay grounded in all situations and roles. His nomadic military upbringing also helped. Whatever the Sixers need him to do, he’ll be ready.

“I think the role and job is to do everything you can to win,” he said, “whether it’s (be) a great locker room guy, try to pass on your knowledge, staying ready at all times to play whatever position it is.

“I know we’ve got some great point guards. Tyrese, congrats to him on his contract extension. He’s definitely deserving of it — All-Star player. K-Low, Hall of Famer with everything he’s done. So I definitely look forward to talking to them, bouncing ideas off each other, trying to see how I can help and talking to the whole coaching staff. But really … my mindset is just to come in and do whatever it takes.”

Jackson’s humility is evident. He came to his presser, introduced himself to every media member in attendance and offered a handshake. All of his answers were clear-eyed from a guy that has seen it all.

While the opportunity to play with Drummond, someone he considers his “brother,” and George, a guy he credits with saving his career, holds plenty of appeal, Jackson’s motivation for joining the Sixers is even simpler than that.

“It’s definitely great to play with Andre again and PG,” he said, “but I think everybody knows in the basketball world … I think the deck looks pretty full, so that was a big part of my choice. And just an opportunity to try to do something special.”

That type of mindset should make Jackson feel right at home in a place like Philly.