G.G. Jackson 2023 NBA Draft Profile

G.G. Jackson 2023 NBA Draft Profile

G.G. Jackson 2023 NBA Draft Profile:

Height/Weight/Age: 6’8″/214 LBs/18-years-old

Primary Position: Small Forward

Freshman Season Stats: 15.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.8 APG, 38.4%% FG, 32.4% 3P, 67.7% FT, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 2.7 TOPG

Strengths: Scoring & Tough Shot-Making, Off-Ball Scoring, Rebounding

Jackson is an insanely nimble and agile scorer for someone at his size. He’s just got a buttery-smooth handle for a 6-foot-8 forward. He doesn’t have an elite explosive burst, but has long strides and a shifty change in pace. Along with his change of pace, Jackson doesn’t mind using his body and playing physically to get to his spots.

GG Jackson has such solid handles.

He's so fluid when creating his own offense in isolation. Something that I value a lot. Not so many guys at 6-9 that can create offense for himself and others as he does. pic.twitter.com/Q3Oi1EZEhs

— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) February 8, 2023

The Detroit Pistons have the third worse FG% in isolation, while attempting a league-average amount of attempts.

Let's say Brandon Miller—my perfect Pistons fit—is off the board, I think they should fully focus on getting GG Jackson. pic.twitter.com/97P3KrU0Jl

— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) February 27, 2023

Additionally, Jackson is one tough bucket from everywhere on the court. He flashed all kinds of difficult shot-making last season. If it’s a fadeaway, a turnaround, a step-back or a pull-up. Name a tough shot and Jackson doesn’t need a ton of separation to knock it down. He also has a decently developed post-game that he can turn to on the low block.

GG Jackson showcasing his hip mobility here.

He makes the Auburn defense commit after driving toward the baseline. With limited passing options available, I love how he's still getting the bucket with the midrange spin fadeaway. pic.twitter.com/w9GgTltiH5

— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) May 14, 2023

But he’s not just limited to scoring on-ball. Jackson is a well-rounded scorer if he’s creating his own shots or if they’re being created for him. He can be a useful cutter or roll-man because he’s a good interior finisher. Last season, he finished through contact well and showed he can finish at the rack with both hands. Jackson also shot 33.7 percent on his catch-and-shoot attempts. Nothing crazy, but he’s tall with a smooth, high, quick release — that number should continue to rise.

GG Jackson is such an exciting prospect.

The combination of size, slashing ability and handles will make him potentially an all-round offensive scoring machine at the NBA level.

He's still only 17-years-old. Has the potential to be a lottery pick. pic.twitter.com/R8qx0eLzPA

— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) December 13, 2022

Finally, Jackson is a strong and physical rebounder. He also uses his frame well to play through contact offensively, but also to crash the board. He ranked in the 93rd percentile as an offensive rebounder last season with 1.5 ORPG and created a ton of second-chance opportunities. He’s a good vertical athlete and with effort, should be really effective on the boards.

GG Jackson’s has a knack for rebounding. Get a put back dunk off his own miss. Explosive 2nd jump. pic.twitter.com/6CCBwAuyeL

— Israel (@iohandles) November 12, 2022

Weaknesses: Team Play, Defense, Playmaking

My biggest concern with Jackson making the leap to the NBA level is his inefficiency and lack of team play. Last season at South Carolina, Jackson was a black hole. There aren’t many more prospects with worse tunnel vision than Jackson. He could dominate entire games and would dictate and dominate entire possessions. He must improve his shot selection and decision-making if he wants to get legitimate playing time on a winning roster.

Another major concern with Jackson’s game is his defense and overall lack of effort on that end of the floor. He’s got a lot of the physical tools you look for in a good defender. He’s got a long wingspan, he’s strong and decently agile. But a lot of his struggles defensively came in the effort department. Jackson will have to up his activity and energy here if he wants to stick around in the league.

My final concern with Jackson’s game is his playmaking. He’s just not a polished or willing passer. He would routinely make poor reads or poor passes that would lead to bad turnovers. He had an utterly atrocious 1-to-3 assist-to-turnover ratio last season.

Jackson just isn’t developed enough to be a good playmaker right now, even though he’s got a very smooth handle.

Best Fits: Houston, Portland, Indiana, Charlotte

G.G. Jackson needs to go to a young team where he can get actual playing time and develop. Jackson either needs to get time in the G-League first or to get burned off someone’s bench. He shouldn’t be expected to play winning basketball in a contending team’s rotation.

What I’m getting at is Jackson desperately needs to get playing time immediately to polish his game. Houston, Portland, Indiana and Charlotte all seem like logical landing spots as they have young corps Jackson can grow with alongside.

Player Comparison: Big Caris LeVert or Budget Michael Beasley

What I’m getting at with these comparisons is Jackson has an absolute bag. If you saw any of these guys in a pick-up game, you would think they were the filthiest buckets of all time. But it’s about getting buckets with consistency and efficiency. Beasley and LeVert both have struggled with consistency and efficiency but have all the talent in the world. I think Jackson falls into that same boat.

Draft Projection: Mid-Late First Round

Jackson is a polarizing prospect. He’s got glaring weaknesses that will keep him from being an immediate winning basketball player but has an insane upside. Jackson will likely need to spend some time in the G-League or be in a really reduced role off the bench early in his career. He’ll be 18-years-old on draft night and with his shot-creation abilities, should be a project-type player teams look for in the late first round.

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