Some players – like Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell last year or Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns before them – were ready to contribute right away at the next level. Others – like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert – needed proper development before they transformed into superstars.
Jackson Jr., who doesn’t turn 19 until September, is believed to be the ultimate project from this year’s draft. He will likely need time before he’s ready to make a difference in the NBA. But, many feel he can be a major difference-maker down the road.
The No. 1 thing that stood out about Jackson in college was his shot-blocking prowess.