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Sacramento Kings: 5 goals for Justin Jackson’s rookie season

By Max Holm

SACRAMENTO, CA - JUNE 24: The Sacramento Kings 2017 Draft Pick Justin Jackson speaks to the media on June 24, 2017 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JUNE 24: The Sacramento Kings 2017 Draft Pick Justin Jackson speaks to the media on June 24, 2017 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – JUNE 24: The Sacramento Kings 2017 Draft Pick Justin Jackson speaks to the media on June 24, 2017 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – JUNE 24: The Sacramento Kings 2017 Draft Pick Justin Jackson speaks to the media on June 24, 2017 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

For his rookie season ahead, Justin Jackson finds himself on a Sacramento Kings roster that lacks an abundance of great wing players.

Justin Jackson‘s decision to return to North Carolina in 2016 was a perfect decision in hindsight. Not only was it the right move, but it set him on a path to be the 15th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, courtesy of the Sacramento Kings. One year earlier, it’s possible he may have gone undrafted.

In his year back at North Carolina, Jackson polished his game and became a deadly three-point shooter. In his first two years at Chapel Hill, he shot a combined 63-for-212 from three, a shade under 30 percent.

Yet, after putting in hours upon hours in the gym, Jackson knocked down 37 percent of his threes last season. And it wasn’t for a lack of attempts. He bested both his career makes and attempts in just one season. He connected on 105 triples, the second-most in the ACC.

With a more trusted jumper to pair with a winning resume at North Carolina and well-rounded game, Jackson became a legitimate NBA prospect. The Kings invested in that shooting and improvement when they selected him 15th overall.

Unlike other young players on the Kings, Jackson doesn’t have as much competition at his position. This could lead to more time and higher expectations for the 2017-18 season. With a great opportunity ahead, here are five goals for his rookie season.

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