Josh Jackson showed off some plus athleticism in the first half of Kansas’ NCAA Tournament opener against UC Davis.
The top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks didn’t have the easiest time with No. 16 UC Davis in the early stages of their Midwest Region First Round game, but that’s not the fault of freshman phenom Josh Jackson.
Midway through the first quarter, Kansas point guard and National Player of the Year candidate Frank Mason spotted Jackson streaking down the right baseline for an alley-oop opportunity. Jackson took advantage of the sweet feed from Mason with a monster slam over the Aggies to put the Jayhawks up 21-15, via CBS Sports.
Jackson took advantage of the sweet feed from Mason with a monster slam over the Aggies to put the Jayhawks up 21-15, via CBS Sports.
JOSH JACKSON DUNK YOU VERY MUCH! pic.twitter.com/UENQx3TXVi
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 17, 2017
Jackson has stood out as one of the most productive and versatile players in college basketball this season with an average of 16.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-8 wing has a chance to be the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft thanks to his outstanding athleticism, as evidenced by Friday’s dunk.
As impressive as that dunk was, Kansas may look for more of that in the second half from Mason and Jackson. UC Davis responded with an immediate 6-0 run to tie the game at 21, although a 15-1 response from the Jayhawks has opened things up for now.
Jackson has been the most effective player for the Jayhawks in Friday’s early going with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field, in addition to four rebounds. Foul trouble has been an issue for the ultra-talented freshman all season long, and he was forced from the game with 5:42 left in the first half after picking up his second personal.
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If Kansas is to win its second national title of the Bill Self era, Jackson will need to be just as effective moving forward.