Is GG Jackson NBA Ready?
Basketball writer and podcaster Nick Andre takes an in-depth look at GG Jackson, the youngest prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft.
What’s next for wing sensation GG Jackson? Throughout his freshman season, there have been mixed emotions about whether his game could transition to the next level. The 2023 NBA Draft is a week away and several teams have their picks ready for who they want on their roster. As I ask another question: Is GG Jackson a game-changer for an organization?
The South Carolina Gamecocks season was the complete opposite compared to the women’s team. The team finished at the bottom of the standings in the SEC (4–14 in conference) and wasn’t necessarily a threat to many teams in the NCAA. The bright side of their season was the emergence of Jackson, who averaged 15.4 points per game to go with six rebounds in 32 games played. Without the many heroics of Jackson through the course of contests, it would’ve been difficult for the Gamecocks to win 11 games on the year.
If there’s one takeaway from Jackson’s freshman year, it’s that he loves to get shots up. At the wing position, he has tremendous size and agility to get to his spots and operate anywhere on the floor. Head coach Lamont Parris allowed Jackson to have the green light to take shots on nearly every possession. However, playing one on one wasn’t beneficial for the Gamecocks and it showed in their season record.
Jackson is a gifted scorer. He can knock down perimeter shots while being a post player and scoring at the basket. When attacking, he has a great first step and uses his burst of speed to attack the rim. However, Jackson’s shooting splits at 38/32/67 are an issue for the team’s number one option. Being the best player on the team means that you have to make the right plays at the right time. For opposing teams, Jackson was at the top of their scouting report and they prioritized slowing him down. Give credit to Jackson for remaining confident in his shooting but oftentimes he took ill-advised shots that cost the team.
The question revolving around Jackson is if he can be a franchise player for an NBA organization. Can he evolve into a leader who can potentially elevate a team’s chances of winning a title? As of right now, Jackson is good to be a solid role player in the second unit who can provide a spark and give a team momentum. And that’s perfectly fine. Let’s remember, he’s only 18 years of age and has a lot of time to grow and evolve. At a young age, there’s no denying the talent that GG Jackson has and what he brings to the table offensively.
Outlook
The number one word for GG Jackson is patience. Many draft scouts have already made their assumption that he won’t last on the NBA level. That is why he must be drafted by the right organization that can lead him to success. He may not be a lottery pick but a mid-first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. With his upside and skillset that many players his size do not have, Jackson will be a matchup nightmare once he adjusts to the NBA level. At 18 years old, his confidence is at an all-time high and he’s not afraid of the big moments.
