2016 NBA Draft: Who Shined On Day 2 Of Sweet 16?

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Mar 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Demetrius Jackson (11) reacts after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in a semifinal game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Notre Dame won 61-56. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Opponent: Wisconsin Badgers (7)

Result: 61-56, W

Stat Line: 37 minutes, 16 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 6/18 FG, 0/2 3PT, 4/4 FT

Position: Point Guard

Age: 21 (9/7/1994)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’1″, 194 pounds, 6’4.75″

Analysis

For a vast majority of the game, Notre Dame Fighting Irish point guard Demetrius Jackson couldn’t find his shot. He paced Notre Dame with his facilitating and came up big defensively, but Jackson’s jump shot simply was not falling.

In the biggest of moments, however, Jackson complemented his pure point guard skills with a tremendously clutch performance.

After the starting the game by shooting 1-of-10 from the field, Jackson went 5-of-8 to close things out. He scored six points and had two steals in the final 30 seconds alone, and had 12 points in the closing 8 minutes and 50 seconds.

Jackson clearly has an NBA future, but this series of plays proved something bigger: he has the clutch gene inside him.

Jackson is projected by most as a Top 15 player in the 2016 NBA Draft. His safe upside comparison is Darren Collison due to his well-rounded nature and speed, but his ultimate upside comparison has long been Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard.

Regardless of which he lives up to, Jackson has a bright NBA future.

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