Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to stay in top-5 conversation
By Max Holm
The potential big man class for the 2018 NBA Draft is living up to expectations and Jaren Jackson Jr. is staying with the pack.
As Marvin Bagley III, DeAndre Ayton and others continue to show how strong this 2018 NBA Draft class can be, Jaren Jackson Jr. is making sure he’s not forgotten. Amidst the hoopla, Jackson has more modest numbers, but projects as well as any of his counterparts at the next level.
Through his first 13 games at Michigan State, Jackson is averaging 10.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game. The fact that he’s putting those up in less than 23 minutes per game is impressive. He can get into foul trouble and miss critical time sitting on the bench, but you won’t find any young big who doesn’t have games like that.
Oozing with potential
Like Ayton and Bagley, Jackson is played mostly as a power forward, limiting our chances to see him as a center. A center is likely where he would thrive the most in the NBA. However, Jackson takes this in stride and is showing off even more skill that we may not have seen if he was just a full-time center.
He showed all his potential in an early season matchup against Duke. Jackson had one of his best lines of the year with 19 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, but his impact went well beyond just those. Doing so in just 24 minutes, he also altered more shots, defended well in space and nailed three shots from 3.
That performance is Jackson’s potential in a nutshell. He’s a Swiss army knife defender at center with some developing offensive punch. Now, Jackson has shortcomings just like any other prospect. Even though he has absurd athleticism, he’s only shooting 57.1 percent at the rim, per Hoop-Math. That is an area he really has to improve, as well as his shooting.
Shooting is key
His shooting numbers from 3 are modest at 34 percent, but come on just 35 attempts. Jackson’s form is wonky with the ball out in front of him, but his release is fluid. He pairs that with an okay percentage on 2-point jumpers, 37.5 percent, and great numbers from the free throw line. At the charity stripe, he’s knocking them down at an 84 percent clip. Free throws don’t always equate to shooting success, but it’s not a bad sign.
Being a consistent shooting threat opens up the floor for his teammates and for Jackson to put the ball on the floor himself. A lack of a shot takes that space away and his inability to finish well will have opponents play tighter to him. Those are likely the two biggest areas in need of improvement, but the reality is Jackson is still 18, one of the youngest in his class. There lies some of the upside he has over others.
Equally high upside
He shows flashes as a passer and that’s another dimension he can add to look a more a complete player. Big picture with Jackson, he’s the type of big man defender that wins games with his versatility. Very few bigs can defend the rim and in space. Jackson shows great awareness defensively, which bodes well for projecting his offensive game. He seems to understand the game and should get better the more experience he gets.
Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: End of 2017 edition
When you look at Bagley and Ayton’s lower defensive ceilings, you can buy Jackson in that conversation. You especially can if you’re a believer in his shooting and passing. Don’t expect him to necessarily go above them in the draft, but he’ll stay in the conversation.