NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 17: Portland uses three first round picks
By Chris Stone
Josh Jackson
SF, Kansas
Jackson is a two-way prospect who projects to be a creator on offense and versatile defender on the other end. He has excellent court vision, is a willing passer and can attack off the dribble with the ball in his hands. It’s not hard to imagine NBA teams using him as the screener in pick-and-pop actions to let him get moving downhill versus a rotating defense. Jackson has also recently experienced a surge from behind the 3-point arc, but his poor shooting mechanics and bad free throw percentage suggest that won’t sustain itself at the next level without significant work.
Jackson should be able to guard multiple positions at the next level. He largely defends college power forwards in the Jayhawks’ small ball lineup, but can also guard wings. He’s been an excellent rebounder, averaging 9.4 boards per 40 minutes, and puts up blocks and steals at a high rate.
Although he may never become a team’s dominant scoring threat, Jackson affects basketball games in a variety of ways. That’s what makes him an attractive prospect.