2018 NBA Draft: 5 best perimeter defenders available

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Barry Brown Jr. #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats looks to make a pass against Khyri Thomas #2 of the Creighton Bluejays during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Bucknell Bison forward Zach Thomas (23) drives to the basket between Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. (2) and Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) during the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship First Round basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Bucknell Bison on March 16, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State)

Most times, players that are listed at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan aren’t often thought of as ace perimeter defenders, however, that is exactly what makes Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. such a special project. In one year under Izzo, Jackson Jr. showed that he was capable of defending every position on the floor.

In an age where big men are asked to extend their defensive abilities further and further out on the court, Jackson Jr. fits the mold to a “t”. His wingspan helped him become one of the best rim-protecting bigs and has also helped him be an efficient defender away from the rim as well. Jackson Jr could drop his hips so that his defensive stance was in-line with smaller players and then his ability to match opposing players step for step allowed him to switch any assignment in pick-and-roll defense for the Spartans. Despite him being the best defensive option for Izzo, Jackson Jr. didn’t get to play as many minutes as some of his contemporaries in this year’s draft–a proclivity for fouls also led the freshmen to spend time on the bench. When he was on the court his presence made a major impact.

Jackson Jr. was one of the most versatile defenders in the entire NCAA a year ago despite being just 18 years old — he won’t turn 19 until mid-September. The potential for him to become a generational defender is staring the NBA in the face. If he’s already this good at 18 just imagine what he could possibly be doing when he hits his prime. Anthony Davis was a much more impactful player his freshman year at Kentucky, but we haven’t seen a player with this combination of perimeter and interior defensive skills since Davis led the Wildcats to the NCAA title in 2012.

Like any rookie, there will be an adjustment period to account for, but that usually takes longer defensively. Look for Jackson Jr. to have some struggles early, but in the right system with the right coach, he could become an all-time defender.

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