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Andre Jackson Jr. says he’ll take the increased role with the Milwaukee Bucks day-by-day

Andre Jackson Jr. is ready to step up.

Jonas Panerio

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Rookie wingman Andre Jackson Jr. got an incredible present on his birthday last Monday—the opportunity to play more after veteran forward Jae Crowder was diagnosed with an injured abdomen that will sideline him for roughly eight weeks. 

A 6-foot-6 off-guard with championship pedigree, Jackson Jr. did not hesitate to put his stamp in their 118-109 win over the Chicago Bulls, providing a steady stream of energy, hustle, and defense off the bench.

Fulfill a role

Jackson Jr. knows his place in the Bucks’ hierarchy. He knows he’s not on the floor to put massive points up on the board; that job belongs to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. He knows he’ll be put into the game to hassle the opposing team’s best player—a role previously filled by the injured Crowder.

“Definitely just taking full advantage of every opportunity I’m given,” Jackson said. “The opportunities are going to be a little bit more now because we are missing our best defensive player in Jae, so I’ll just try to go out there and try to fulfill that role.”

Make an impact

Jackson Jr. is fully capable of putting the ball in the basket, but he’s focused on doing the little things that translate to winning: setting solid screens to create openings for his teammates, crashing the offensive glass, staying active on defense, and making the right plays.

“I think I can make an impact without scoring the basketball,” Jackson said. “Just screening, being in the spot to create the space for the guys that need the ball. On this team, if I’m on the court, I’m most likely, probably, the fifth option in scoring, so I’m just going to try to do everything in my power to get those other guys clean looks and follow up their misses if they do miss and try to find another guy.”

“Just try to replace what’s missing, which is going to be extremely hard and damn near impossible with such a great guy like that with so much experience and playing on so many great teams and winning teams, so definitely just trying to take it day-by-day and just grow.”

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO