NBA Draft prospects for the Miami Heat to watch in Kentucky vs North Carolina

 Justin Jackson

Justin Jackson may be the only player on this list who is gone by the time the Heat pick. He’s easily North Carolina’s best and most consistent player, with perhaps the highest NBA upside. Draft Express currently has him listed as their no. 13 prospect, so unless he slides a little bit, he won’t be coming to South Beach. Considered a second-round pick before the season, Jackson has risen up draft boards in part due to his increased efficiency from the three-point line, where he’s shooting 38 percent from in his Junior season (up from 29.7 percent from his first two seasons).

At 6-foot-8, with a near 6-foot-11 wingspan, Jackson is a rangy small forward who can shoot over the top of most opponents. Defensively, it allows him to play passing lanes and disrupt the opponent’s ball movement while leading to turnovers.

Jackson has developed into an NBA-ready scorer but, at 22, some scouts wonder how much upside he has left. That could lead him to slipping in the draft, as teams choose younger players with higher upside over him. If that’s the case, Jackson could end up being the best player available by the time the Heat are on the clock.

Jackson fills a need for the Heat — namely length on the perimeter. Currently the Heat start the 6-foot-4 Rodney McGruder at small forward. McGruder, as effective as he’s been this season, is better suited for a role as a backup 2-guard who occasionally swings up a position. Jackson would give the Heat length and a legit scoring threat at the 3.

As Heat fans watch Kentucky vs North Carolina, Jackson could look like the best player on the floor. But the NBA draft often emphasizes potential over performance and, if that’s the case, the Heat could end up with a steal late in the first round.