NBA Draft: The Curious Case of GG Jackson

Gregory 'GG' Jackson is one of the more tough and perplexing draft evaluations in recent memory.

Gregory ‘GG’ Jackson, South Carolina’s leading scorer and reclassified phenom, is one of the more perplexing draft cases in recent memory.

Assuming the lead role for the Gamecocks at just 17-years-old after reclassifying to the 2022 class, Jackson is now playing himself into the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. But where he falls within that is still a complete mystery.

Jackson is polarizing as a prospect. His upside grants dreams of star potential and more. But his issues are ones not easily glossed over. Scouts and various writers have him ranging anywhere from a top-five draft pick to late lottery and beyond. And it’s understandably aggravating to rank him within a loaded draft class.

On the surface level, Jackson has been good. He’s scored 16.6 points, grabbed 7.4 rebounds and blocked 1.1 shots per game through 12 games, so far at the age of just 17. What more could you want?

His splits need some work — just 41 percent from the field and 36 percent from three — but are certainly projected to see an increase as he continues in his young career.

Contextually, leaving your situation and filling the stat sheet confidently at a young age is a great sign. He’s taking on tons of offensive responsibility in Lamont Paris’ system and thus far he’s shouldered it fairly well. On the flip-side, South Carolina is likely the SEC’s worst team and there’s questions surrounding who could put up similar production in the same situation.

But even underneath the surface of Jackson’s fairly unique game, there’s plenty to dive into.

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At 6-foot-9, Jackson is one day going to be able to create open perimeter looks nearly at will. He’s got legitimately advanced handle for his size and age and is continuously allowed to get creative in his current situation.

He shoots 4.8 threes per game, and chooses from a solid mix of spot-up and self-created shots. Jackson’s game feels molded by years of watching Golden State superstar Steph Curry do this thing.

Jackson’s upside is unquestionably astronomical. His combination of size, shooting and fluidity while being able to put the ball on the floor is rarely seen. And he’s certainly less of a project than we’ve seen from similar archetypes in recent years.

But there’s plenty of legitimate reasons holding Jackson back. His shot diet and decision-making being at the top of the list.

GG Jackson the scorer is further ahead than he should be at freshly 18-years-old. But Jackson the playmaker feels further behind than he should.

He isn’t called upon to be a legitimate playmaker or passer for South Carolina, but it happens naturally for most high-feel, live-dribble players averaging 16-plus points per game. And for Jackson it hasn’t.

He’s averaging just 0.7 assists per game, but the problem is deeper than numbers. He continuously misses open teammates, opting for long-range threes or a variety of. other offensive moves.

And if Jackson doesn’t develop into a premier playmaker, that’s just fine. But I’d wager the first five-ish players off the board in the 2023 NBA Draft are going to have great to elite-level playmaking and rightfully so.

Defensively, Jackson has all the tools to be a plus-defender in the NBA and potentially even a forward-rim protector down the line. But for now that future remains in flashes here and there, with the overall defensive product leaving quite a bit to be desired.

Again, lot’s of it could be contextual (South Carolina). But it also might not be.

Jackson will continue to have a varying range all the way up until draft night 2023. A high-upside offensive producer with potentially unfixable issues is sure to have polarized opinions.

Some will decide his upside as a potential star in the NBA is too much to pass up. Others will struggle to see how he fits completely within how most NBA teams operate currently.

For now, we’ll have to continue to monitor Jackson’s collegiate play and try to decipher what his role at the next level will be.

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