2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 21: Malik Monk to the Sixers

Finding 6-foot-8 wings who can get buckets is a difficult exercise, but their importance to the modern NBA can’t be denied. Whether playing in a complimentary role as a starter or coming off of the bench, scoring wings are highly valuable. North Carolina’s Justin Jackson has bolstered his credentials as one such player this season. As a junior, he averaged 23.0 points per 40 minutes on a 55.8 true shooting percentage.

The most important development for Jackson has been an improving outside jumper. After shooting worse than 30 percent from deep in his first two seasons, he has made 38.0 percent of his 3-point attempts as a junior while more than doubling his number of attempts per 40 minutes and making 73.3 percent of his free throws. That added efficiency has raised Jackson’s game significantly, taking him from a wing who often relied on a mid-range floater to one with a more diverse set of scoring skills.

Jackson also has the size to be a serviceable defender. In the Tar Heels’ Elite Eight game against Kentucky, Jackson used his length to bother sharpshooter Malik Monk for much of the contest. It’s possible that he’ll be able to do similar things in the NBA when he’s not tasked with such a heavy offensive load.

Learn more about Justin Jackson at The Step Back.