2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 2 power rankings
9. Josh Jackson, Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns rookie wingman Josh Jackson has had quite to start to his rookie season. Jackson was selected fourth overall in the 2017 NBA Draft out of the University of Kansas.
The Suns began the 2017-18 season with a 0-3 record before parting ways with head coach Earl Watson. Aside from that, Jackson has been fined already for some inappropriate gestures towards a fan during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Jackson has since been demoted to the bench, but the team has performed better with him off of it and they’ve won two games in a row. He’s averaging 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 25.8 minutes per game for the Suns so far.
Jackson scored 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting in his debut against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 18. The Suns lost that game by 48 points.
He put up 15 points, five rebounds and two steals in his first stint off the bench against the Sacramento Kings. The Suns won that game 117-115.
It will be nice to focus on Jackson instead of other things (Eric Bledsoe) as the two sides begin to figure out his role. He’s one player to watch for when looking at Rookie of the Year candidates.