There were many times during their freshman year together when the college careers of Kevin Huerter and Justin Jackson seemed virtually in the same place, their timetables very much in sync.
That changed last season. Jackson struggled with his shooting early on, and then was sidelined for all but the first 11 games after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
As Jackson sat, Huerter’s game continued to grow.
Though both were invited to the NBA’s draft combine last month, Huerter emerged from Chicago as a likely first-round draft choice.