A Royal Prospect: Josh Jackson
By Tyler Watts
Weaknesses
Streaky Shooter
Josh Jackson did something unexpected last season when he shot 37.8% from three-point territory. Jackson is a poor free throw shooter and was not expected to be that kind of threat from three-point distance. Consider this, Jackson connected on 9 of 38 three-point attempts through his first 18 college games. In case you did not want to do the math that is 23.7% connect percentage. In the final 17 games of the season, he shot 25 of 52 or 48.1% from three. Which sample is Josh Jackson’s actual talent?
Jackson’s shooting mechanics are unconventional and inconsistent which is worrisome. DraftExpress did a great job explaining his mechanics so check out their article to read more about it. I believe Jackson will struggle with his jumpers in the NBA and may need to completely overhaul his shooting mechanics to find success (a dangerous proposition as players like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have had little success in many attempts at doing just that).
There is a role in the NBA for a defense-first player who lacks a jump shot, but he is never a superstar, so Jackson will need to improve his j and consistency to unlock his full potential.
Frame
Jackson does not have the height, length, or size to play the four in the NBA. That limits his versatility slightly in a league that is always going smaller. Jackson should do well guarding one through three, though.
The worry is Jackson will not add much to his slight frame as he is already 20 years old and weighed 193 lbs. in 2014 at the USA Basketball camp according to DraftExpress. That means he added 10 pounds in two years, but it is not enough to guard the NBA fours. If your second biggest complaint is that a player is a slightly too small to defend two of the five players on the NBA court you are apparently getting a tremendous talent in Josh Jackson.