The Miami Heat will reportedly work out North Carolina forward and ACC player of the year Justin Jackson on Thursday.
As impressive as the Miami Heat were for the second half of the season, it was clear at times that they still needed help in two key areas: length and scoring on the perimeter.
With the No. 14 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, the Heat could have a chance to fill both of those needs with North Carolina small forward Justin Jackson who, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, will work out for the team this week.
"North Carolina small forward Justin Jackson, among several players very much in consideration for the Heat’s first-round pick at No. 14 overall, will work out for the Heat on Thursday, according to a source."
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Jackson is a three-year player who got better every season until eventually being awarded ACC Player of the Year honors after his junior year. He increased his 3-point shooting every season, and averaged 37 percent on 7.1 3-point attempts per game. He averaged 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game last season. We’ve written before about why he’d be Miami’s dream pick at 14.
Besides his shooting, Jackson is an underrated passer. He has a good feel for finding cutting teammates and keeping the ball moving. Defensively, his length helps him stay in front of opponents and disrupt passing lanes (he averaged 0.8 steals per game last season).
The questions about Jackson are mostly about sample size. He shot just 29 percent on his 3s in his sophomore season, and 30 percent as a freshman. Was his junior year legitimate development, or a fluke? Nylon Calculus projects that Jackson will shoot 35 percent on nearly four attempts per game from 3-point range as an NBA rookie. Respectable, but most definitely not elite.
There’s also questions about his size. With a wiry 6-8, 201 pound frame, Jackson could struggle to defend some of the larger small forwards in the NBA, especially in the post. Players who routinely put their back to the basket like DeMar DeRozan, Carmelo Antony and LeBron James will back him into oblivion. He’s put on eight pounds since the 2016 draft combine, so there’s a chance he could still fill out more.
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At 22 years old, Jackson has gotten better every year at North Carolina. That’s a sign of strong work ethic, and a dedication to getting better. Even if he’s reached his ceiling already, Jackson will be a long, and long-range shooter who should be able to heat up quickly off the bench. If he continues to develop, he could become a dangerous perimeter threat that opens up Miami’s offense.