Suns draft: Kansas small forward Josh Jackson brings toughness, questionable shooting
Doug Haller
The Suns have the fourth pick in the June 22 NBA draft. Their selection could alter the franchise or add to a youthful core already in place.
Azcentral sports has highlighted eight players within the Suns' range. This is the first profile in that series:
Josh Jackson
Position: Small forward.
School: Kansas.
Year: Freshman.
Size: 6-8/203 pounds.
Age: 20.
Last season: In 35 games, Jackson averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals. He shot 54.9 percent from inside the arc and 37.8 from outside. He struggled from the foul line, shooting 56.6 percent. Jackson was a first-team All-Big 12 selection as well as the conference’s Freshman of the Year. He also was an AP third-team All-American.
Why he makes sense for the Suns: Jackson might be the best two-way player in the draft. To start, he has a fire that’s rare for someone his age. ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla said he wouldn’t be surprised if Jackson next season leads the NBA in technical fouls. "You want somebody that cares and Josh absolutely cares,'' he said. "He walks on the court trying to figure out who the toughest guy is and then he takes them on. He’ll try to do that in the NBA and he’ll get lessons learned, but eventually his toughness will take hold on a good team." At 6-8, Jackson also would give the Suns the defender they need, someone who could slow an opponent’s top perimeter scorer. During his only season at Kansas, Jackson posted a 3.5 block percentage and a 3.1 steals percentage, which illustrates his defensive feistiness.
Why he doesn’t: In addition to defense, the Suns also need shooting, and that might be Jackson’s weakness. Although he shot respectably from 3-point range, he preferred to attack the basket. (Only 21 percent of Jackson’s shots stemmed from 3-point range. For comparison, Duke small forward Jayson Tatum attempted 32.1 percent of his shots from deep.)
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Concerns: Jackson might have character issues. In February, the freshman forward allegedly vandalized a car belonging to a Kansas women’s basketball player and threatened to beat her. According to KUSports.com, Jackson pleaded not guilty to a single misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property. Jackson also was suspended a game for backing into a car on campus and not reporting it to police.
Best comparison: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but with a higher upside. In his fifth season in Charlotte, Kidd-Gilchrist has established himself as one of the league’s better defenders and rebounders at his position.
Bust factor: Slim. "Josh, to me, has the natural gifts to be an NBA starter from Day 1,'' Fraschilla said. "Whether he becomes an All-Star will depend a lot on his outside shooting."
Quote: “His value coming in will be as a high-energy, elite defender. He can defend multiple positions. He’s a terrific on-ball defender. And then he’s a guy who can get out and finish in transition. He’s a very good passer. He has a great feel for the game. He plays hard. He just has to improve his jump shot and (increase) his range.” – ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg.
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Contact Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.