One of the highest hustle players in the NBA, Andre Jackson was a key glue piece for Connecticut winning a championship in 2023. As a junior, Jackson averaged 6.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG, and 2 TOPG on splits of 43/28/65. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Andre Jackson
Height/Weight: 6’6/198
Wingspan/ standing reach: 6’9 ¾/8’7
Hand size: 9 ½
Position: Wing
Pre-Draft team: Connecticut
Tools: Athleticism, defense, feel for the game
Pros:
- Great athlete
- Intelligent cutter
- Elite defensive upside
- Excellent recovery ability defensively
- Could be an elite chasedown block artist
- Long arms
- Quick processing speed and outstanding feel for the game
- Incredible motor
Cons:
- Awkward shooting motion
- Poor shooting indicators; needs to improve shooting consistency
- Lacks a mid range jumper
- Lacks consistent scoring ability
- Doesn’t create much scoring off of his own dribbles
- Doesn’t get to the line much
Summary:
In the halfcourt, Jackson struggles to find ways to help the offense, especially as a scorer. While he can cut well, there are concerns about how much offense this can produce any given night. However, with his outstanding feel for the game and motor, he can insert himself into plays easily, and a good coaching staff can find ways for Jackson to get involved in any offense with his ability to make his teammates better by getting them better looks with or without the ball in his hands. As one of the sharpest basketball minds in the draft, Jackson will have to overcome his lack of a jump shot to stick offensively as a positive defender.
The bottom line for Andre Jackson’s NBA success comes down to how much scoring he can provide in the NBA. With a labored jump shot that is unlikely to command closeouts, as well as limited driving ability, Jackson will have to thrive as a cutter to utilize his athleticism offensively. While his defense and passing are valuable at the wing, he is closer to a defensive specialist with connective passing than a true two-way playmaker, due to his lack of scoring changing how defenses guard him.
Similar to: Josh Green, Gary Payton II
Projected draft range: 25-40
Expected role: Defensive menace and playmaker that can create for others, while thriving in quick offense as a ball-handler.
Unplayable if: Lack of scoring, particularly jump shooting, makes it easy for teams to gameplan against Jackson, which limits the overall offense of his teammates too since he would be a threat to make it 4-on-5 at times
Exceeds expectations if: Either his defense and passing are so good that his lack of shooting can be outweighed by those areas, or his jumper commands respect. With a career 70% free throw rate with low free throw volume, this second option seems less likely.
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