165bows wrote:Hal14 wrote:winsomme2 wrote:I find Ian Jackson difficult to assess. He definitely does not create for his teammates at UNC but his ball handling skills make me think that he could develop that part of his game as a pro. I love his ability to attack the rim and make shots but I agree he is limited at the moment by not showing an ability to get assists...
I think one of the bigger misconceptions I'm seeing from folks with this year's draft class is that Ian Jackson can't create for teammates.
I'm not saying he's elite at it, but I don't really consider it much of a weakness.
First off, he's a scorer. That's his job, and the main thing he's in there to do is score. And usually, with younger players (who are only freshmen) who are *this* good at scoring (especially if they're athletic, can handle the ball, drive to the basket and shoot it well from the perimeter), chances are they aren't great passers.
With all players, they progress differently. Some are good shooters and later on (like sophomore/junior year or maybe not till they get to the NBA), they'll improve their defense. Some guys are good passers but can't shoot. A freshman probably isn't going to be good at everything..and if they are, they're probably going to be a top 5 pick.
Any prospect still there when we're picking in like the 28-40 range will of course have some areas where they aren't so great.
Secondly, I do think Jackson's passing is a bit underrated, as I touch on here:
https://the-center-hub.com/2025/01/14/prospect-evaluation-ian-jackson/
Lastly, assists can be a misleading stat. A guy can make a good pass to keep the offense flowing early on in the possession but then he might not happen to be the last guy who passes the ball that possession so doesn't get the assist..maybe he gets a hockey assist (which I've sene a few times this season from jackson) but those aren't recorded anywhere. Or maybe he makes a good pass but his teammate drops the ball and turns it over, or misses an open shot or has a good look near the basket but gets fouled - in any of those scenarios, the player doesn't get an assist.
For my part I know very little about the guy, he's more an example of an archetype. And again, what I am saying isn't about can a SG create a scoring opportunity once or thrice a game, but is the guy capable of being an actual PG/ball handler.
And if the answer to the latter is no, then several years of transactions say they don't value this type much at all. guy has to be able to check other boxes, like being able to guard the 1 and/or the 3 consistently and effectively.
The honest answer for me with Ian Jackson running an offense is that we just don't know. He certainly isn't doing it now so you'd have to project it based on skills. Like Hal mentioned, he's a scorer because that's what his team needs him to be and he's really good at it.
For me, ball handling is essential and honestly it is a diminished skill in the NBA right now. There aren't many players that I can say are elite ball handlers.
As for Jackson, he definitely piques my interest because he not only can handle the ball but can do so through heavy traffic. Again like Hal mentioned, he does show an ability to create for teammates at times just not his main focus.
Scouting is so important with guys like this who aren't currently playing like the player you would hope for them to become as a pro. One question would be, does he have a work ethic like JB and will relentlessly work at his game as a pro or will he more focus on the stuff he is already good at because that's what he likes...?
One thing we aren't mentioning here is his defense. He definitely shows flashes of being a really good defender. Overall, I would not be at all disappointed with him if Brad targeted him.
