Andre Jackson Jr., UCONN
National Champion Andre Jackson Jr. is the definition of winning basketball. While Jackson has holes on offense, he will be a triple-double threat in the league, doing everything a coach wants from a player. In his Junior season, Jackson averaged 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His numbers are not eye-popping, but we will show what makes him so valuable.
If you look up “hustle” in the dictionary, a picture of Andre Jackson Jr. pops up. When I say he is the definition of winning basketball, he is the guy on the team willing to do everything most people do not do. The 6’6″ wing is a menace on defense, using his 6’10” wingspan and freak athleticism to get stops consistently.
Jackson is also a fantastic rebounder, using that elite athleticism to sky for boards, including 1.9 offensive rebounds per game last season.
The biggest weakness in his game is his jump shot, as he shot 28.1% from deep last season. He would need to develop that to be a serious threat in the NBA, but it is not bad enough to where he cannot make one or two to scare the defense. In his Sophomore season, Jackson shot 36.1% from three, showing he can knock some down.
Even without a deadly jump shot, Jackson still provides on offense with and without the ball in his hands. With the ball, Jackson is an impressive playmaker. He is fantastic about finding the open man and can use his athleticism to get to the rim. Without the ball, Jackson makes his mark by cutting to the basket and always seems to be in the right place on the court.
Andre Jackson Jr. would be a fantastic fit for the Sacramento Kings, mainly for his defense and rebounding. The Kings could use somebody with such a defensive presence. Jackson will become a special player if he develops a consistent jump shot, as it is impossible to teach his hustle.