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NBA Mock Draft 2016: New Year’s Resolutions

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) dribbles the ball as NC-Greensboro Spartans center Lloyd Burgess (25) defends during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. The Tar Heels won 96-63. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) dribbles the ball as NC-Greensboro Spartans center Lloyd Burgess (25) defends during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. The Tar Heels won 96-63. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

30. Justin Jackson, North Carolina Tar Heels

Position: Small Forward

Age: 20

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8.5″, 200 pounds, 6’10”

Slash Line: .503/.250/.718

Season Averages: 28.3 MPG, 13.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.8 3PM

New Year’s Resolution: Get a Jumper

Justin Jackson may be the most polarizing prospect in the 2016 NBA Draft. The lanky sophomore has shown flashes of potential stardom, but not without the troubling signs that plagued him as a freshman shining through.

On the strength of his understated improvements, Jackson is a Top 30 prospect—for now.

Jackson has come a long way as a facilitator, and that development is something to watch. The numbers are strong, but the true progress has been made in his ability to recognize defensive schemes and create offense with his scoring ability and vision as a distributor.

Jackson still needs to find his jump shot, and until he does, teams will be wary of gambling on his upside. That happens to be his New Year’s Resolution.

On the plus side, Jackson can create penetration going left or right, has a nice floater, moves well off-ball, and is a versatile finisher from 16 feet and within—traits of a successful NBA scorer.

Next: First Five Out