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Justin Jackson – 6’8” Forward, University of North Carolina, 22 Years Old
Justin Jackson is a versatile forward from the defending champion North Carolina Tar Heels. He led the Tar Heels with 18.3 points per game while shooting 37% shooting from three point range and averaging 4.7 rebounds per game. Last year as a junior, Jackson was named ACC Player of the Year and a Consensus First-Team All-American. Coupled with two National Championship appearances, including one win and one loss, Jackson enters the NBA draft with quite a decorated college career. He looks to bring his championship pedigree and scoring ability to the NBA next year.
Strengths
Jackson is an NBA-ready prospect who will be able to serve as a valuable role player right away for any team. He has emerged as a legitimate asset from beyond the arc, improving his three point accuracy from 29% as a sophomore to 37% last season. Jackson’s improved shooting has also been a product of his ability to better see the floor and attack open areas without the ball. He is great at cutting sharply off screens to put himself in position for an open catch and shoot three pointer, similar to how Kyle Korver has excelled at using screens to his advantage. Jackson has the unique ability to maintain control of his body by stopping on a dime with a quick release point after sharp, aggressive, lateral cuts along the perimeter. Think of how Klay Thompson is able to gather himself and maintain vertical balance after moving laterally for a three pointer.
Defensively, Jackson can guard three positions. At 6’8″ with a 6’11” wingspan, his lanky frame allows him to disrupt passing lanes and come up with steals and blocks that others cant get to. His defensive versatility should prove to be a major asset in the NBA.
Furthermore, NBA teams must also take into account Jackson’s high level of collegiate experience and his success in the games that mattered most. Jackson experienced what it was like to come so close to victory yet fall just short, followed by a year of redemption in which North Carolina ultimately came out on top. It won’t show up in any advanced statistics, but the past two years have had a monumental impact on the maturity for a young player like Jackson. With more prospects than ever just one year removed from high school, Jackson’s championship experience is a major strength for him. Combined with his high basketball IQ, Jackson’s experience should make him one of the more NBA-ready prospects in the draft.
Weaknesses
Despite much improved shooting, Jackson still isn’t great at attacking the rim off the dribble, especially going to his left. He hasn’t shown the ability to get by his defender whether in a high screen and roll situation or in isolation. Even when Jackson does get a drive going towards the rim, he prefers to pull up for a floater or jump shot instead of initiating contact at the hoop, leading to low free throw attempts. This is mainly due to his inability to finish when approached by taller, stronger rim protectors. However, Jackson is quite effective with his floaters and jump shots, which he will have to rely on even more when playing against larger and stronger rim protectors in the NBA. Jackson lacks elite explosiveness and athleticism to blow by defenders, while also lacking the strength to finish at the rim.
Similar to how Jackson’s lack of physical athleticism hinders his driving ability, it limits his defensive effectiveness. He may struggle matching up with the sheer strength of NBA forwards. Despite Jackson’s lanky frame being a defensive asset, his mediocre quickness and strength bring his defense down. At best, Jackson is a mediocre-slightly above average defender.
NBA Potential
Despite the earlier comparisons to Kyle Korver and Klay Thompson, Jackson’s shooting ability is nowhere near theirs. He’s a well above average shooter, but not quite elite. That being said, Jackson has the work ethic and natural skill, along with his quick and high release point, to become an elite shooter one day in the NBA. His ability to run off screens extremely well along the perimeter should provide him with plenty of open looks to capitalize on.
Jackson’s defensive versatility and shooting are arguably the two skills most coveted in the modern form of the basketball, which make Jackson a very appealing prospect. As the league pushes towards the trend of using lineups with one point guard, one shooting guard, two small forwards, and one center – neglecting the traditional power foward – Jackson should fit right in.
At his best, Jackson could be one of the top two or three players on an elite team, just as he was in college. He’ll likely never develop into the best player on a top playoff team, but at his best he can be the Serge Ibaka to the 2016 Oklahoma City Thunder or the Klay Thompson of this year’s Warriors team.
Justin Jackson should be considered a safe pick – not the highest ceiling, but a fairly high floor.
NBA Player Comparison
If Jackson develops into an elite shooter, there may be some Klay Thompson comparisons in the future. Caron Butler is another player who Jackson’s game resembles. Both are lanky forwards with decent to good, but certainly not great defensive ability, and they can (well, in the case of Caron Butler, he could) shoot the ball over defenders with their high release points.
Look for Justin Jackson to fall anywhere from 10th to 20th on draft night, and be sure to stay updated with our complete coverage of the 2017 NBA Draft!
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