INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers rookie Isaiah Jackson won't turn 20 years old until his fourth month of NBA action. Only 11 current NBA players are younger than him, but the former Kentucky star's self awareness greatly defies his youth.
Jackson knows early in his career that solid defense and playing with energy will help him earn minutes in a crowded, veteran-laden Pacers rotation. He knows he's not currently the type of player who will have a lot of plays called for him on offense, but embracing a specialized role is familiar territory.