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NBA Rookie Ladder: March Madness memories

By Brandon Jefferson

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: (L-R) Theo Pinson
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: (L-R) Theo Pinson /
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Kansas’ Josh Jackson, who scored a game-high 23 points, bowls over Michigan State’s Kyle Ahrens (on the deck) and Kenny Goins (25) in a 90-70 drubbing of the Spartans on Sunday, March 19, 2017 in the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. (Rich Sugg/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images)
Kansas’ Josh Jackson, who scored a game-high 23 points, bowls over Michigan State’s Kyle Ahrens (on the deck) and Kenny Goins (25) in a 90-70 drubbing of the Spartans on Sunday, March 19, 2017 in the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. (Rich Sugg/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /

5. Josh Jackson vs Michigan State (23 points)

After being suspended for the Big 12 Tournament, freshmen Josh Jackson wasted no time getting himself acclimated to the survive-and-advance nature of March Madness. Kansas’ second round matchup came against the Michigan State Spartans — a school that was a final contender to land him and featured his good friends (and fellow freshmen) Cassius Winston and Miles Bridges. Bridges and Jackson was a a head-to-head battle that many wanted to see and it certainly did not disappoint.

Jackson and the Kansas Jayhawks would win both the battle and the game that day. Jackson’s 23 points were a game-high and a late spurt helped Kansas take a 20-point victory into the next round. Thanks to the play of Devonte Graham and Frank Mason III, Jackson was able to operate mostly against single-coverage. His three-point shots were falling for him as well and he made the most of his inside-outside abilities for the duration of this game.

During his lone season as a Jayhawk, Jackson mostly played as a small-ball four and often would take advantage of his defender. If the opposing team placed a bigger defender on him, Jackson would use his speed and athleticism to get around the defense. If the opponent opted to use a smaller defender on him, Jackson would use his length and strength to score over or through them. Being as versatile of a player as he was helped him and Kansas flourish while he was there.

By the time of the 2017 NBA Draft, Jackson was a name that was attached to several teams throughout the lottery. His performance against Bridges definitely helped elevate him towards the top of draft boards, and it is similar to the play that he’s turned in as of late for the Phoenix Suns as his rookie season comes to an end.

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