North Carolina Basketball: Justin Jackson declares for NBA Draft
By Michael Foy
North Carolina basketball’s Justin Jackson has declared for the NBA Draft and intends to hire an agent.
After a breakout year that consisted of North Carolina’s Justin Jackson posting 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, the 6’8″ forward has decided to forego his senior season and enter the 2017 NBA Draft.
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This season, Jackson made huge leaps, going from averaging 11.5 points and shooting just 29.7 percent from beyond the arc, to scoring 18.3 points per contest, and setting a North Carolina single-season record with 105 made 3’s.
This massive improvement led Jackson to become North Carolina’s 15th ACC Player of the Year, as well as a first team All-American. After collecting all of these accolades, as well as a National Title, Jackson felt it was time to take the next step in his basketball career and enter the draft.
Jackson became North Carolina’s go-to player offensively when they needed a basket, and time and time again, he delivered. He was UNC’s most dominant offensive threat and his shooting presence will be deeply missed.
Aside from scoring the ball at a much higher level, Jackson became an excellent defender this year. In the NCAA Tournament, he took on the role of guarding Kentucky’s Malik Monk, as well as Oregon’s Tyler Dorsey. Monk was held to just 4-of-10 shooting, while Dorsey was held to just 3-of-11 from the field.
Before the season started Jackson was not viewed as a first round NBA talent, but after the stellar year he has had, there is no doubt that his name will be selected in the first 30 picks.
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Jackson is the only Tar Heel underclassmen to declare for the NBA Draft. Aside from him, UNC will be losing two starters in Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks, as well as point guard Nate Britt, who came off the bench for the Heels.