NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 16: Lonzo Ball to the Lakers
By Chris Stone
Josh Jackson
SF, Kansas
Jackson projects to be a two-way wing with outlier skills on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Jackson is a tremendous playmaker, especially as a passer. Kansas has recently begun to use him as a screener in high ball screens and those plays have allowed him to get downhill with a numbers advantage versus a moving defense. Jackson has also knocked down a few 3-pointers out of those sets. In a limited number of possessions, the freshman is averaging 1.09 points per possession as the roll man, per Synergy Sports. That also doesn’t factor in the baskets Jackson has produced as a facilitator in those sets.
Defensively, Jackson will be a multi-position defender at the next level who should be able to guard both wing spots, several power forwards and even occasionally point guards. He has also provided nice weak side rim protection this season where his athleticism and understanding of verticality has been valuable for a Kansas defense that doesn’t have a true shot blocker.
Jackson will bring a lot of tools to the table for whatever NBA team drafts him and if he can improve as a shooter, he will be one of the most well-rounded players in the 2017 draft class.