Bucks Zone

The Milwaukee Bucks sign second-rounder Andre Jackson Jr.

A former NCAA standout is now part of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Matthew Dugandzic

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The Milwaukee Bucks have officially signed Andre Jackson Jr., the 36th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Jackson Jr. helped UConn win the NCAA Championship as a junior last season. In the 2022-23 season, Jackson Jr. played 32 games, including 28 starts, and averaged 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.2 minutes per game.

Confident of his chances

In a recent media interview before the start of the Summer League, Jackson Jr. said he liked his chances that he was going to land a spot with the Bucks.

“In the entire pre-draft process, my interviews with the Milwaukee Bucks went the best and I felt like we connected on a spiritual level and I felt like they really genuinely liked my game and felt I could help them win,” Jackson said.

Jackson Jr., who was selected to the 2022-23 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award Top 15 watch list, was actually picked by the Orlando Magic, but his draft rights were traded to the Bucks.

Wants to be a Buck

In acquiring Jackson Jr., Milwaukee gave up its 2030 second-round draft pick and cash considerations.

“I really just wanted to be a part of this organization and to make it a reality was even better so I was really grateful on that night,” the former Huskies’ co-captain said.

A native of Amsterdam, New York, Jackson Jr. appeared in 81 games across three seasons with the Huskies, helping them reach the NCAA Tournament three times while posting a 69-26 (.726) overall record.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.