6. SF Josh Jackson, Kansas
On a scale of one to ten, Josh Jackson is a flat out ten when it comes to athleticism. The bouncy wing has already established himself as one of the draft class’ most hyped prospects, even highlighting the top spot in some circles, and has a bountiful amount of Kansas Jayhawks fans excited to see how his exciting game translates to the collegiate level of play.
In terms of his NBA projections, Jackson is a few fixes away from being locked into the top two or three. He’s a ridiculous athlete on the wing who can get to the rim and play above it almost at will. He’s an aggressive slasher who has no problem matching up with the most dominant athletes he’s had the task of facing thus far in the primitive stages of his career, and that shouldn’t change much as the competition level increases moving forwards.
Jackson’s passing skills on the offensive end, however, seem to be the most overlooked aspect of his game. In the midst of the thrilling dunks and his exhilerating displays of physical beauty, Jackson is a strong creator for the three spot, and is more than capable of creating opportunities for teammates off the dribble. He’s not going to run the show yet by any means, but he’s a highly skilled player in several aspects, and that seems to get downplayed at times with how exciting it is to watch him play.
Jackson’s main offensive hindrance will be his jumper, and that will go a long way in establishing where his draft stock falls in 2017. He’s comfortable shooting off the dribble in some scenarios, but has funky mechanics when he’s spotting up and has never really been all that successful as a perimeter shooter. His main offensive production comes en route to the basket when driving down the lane, and his aptitude in stretching the floor is something that could make or break his already-lofty ceiling in terms of just how good he’s capable of getting at the next level.
Jackson accompanies his offensive promise with elite defensive tools. He can cover any spot on the perimeter, and has excellent instincts in regards to forcing turnovers. His length leaves some to be desired, especially by top-6 draft prospect standards, but he has more than proven himself throughout his high school career as somebody who can produce effectively on both sides of the basketball.
Next: 5. Tatum