Phoenix Suns: 5 players to watch in 2018 NCAA Tournament

2. Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State

This name may come as a bit of a surprise compared to the highly-touted players we’ve been hearing about all year, but Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of the most fascinating, high-rising prospects of the 2018 NBA Draft class and is most definitely worth keeping an eye on in the tournament.

Not only were the Michigan State Spartans hosed in their seeding at No. 3, giving them some extra motivation under a perennial motivator in Tom Izzo, but Jackson has steadily increased his draft stock all season long with his ability to do a little bit of everything at the 5-spot.

He can shoot the 3-ball, converting 39.6 percent of his 2.9 long range attempts per game. He can protect the rim, averaging a staggering 3.2 blocks in only 22.2 minutes per game. His 11.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game may not leap off the page, but scouts are increasingly buying into his high ceiling on both ends of the floor.

The Suns desperately need a franchise center and a defensive anchor to pair with Devin Booker for the long haul. If they find themselves outside of the top two, Jackson — who is the youngest prospect in the draft with a 7’4″ wingspan — could easily go as high as No. 3.

Because of this, and because of Jackson’s two-way importance to a Spartans team that many are picking to come out of the Midwest region and make the Final Four, Michigan State’s starting center is a player the Suns should be monitoring … especially if we get that coveted JJJ vs. Bagley showdown in the Sweet 16.