NBA Draft Scouting Report: Kansas' Elmarko Jackson

Scouting Report: Elmarko Jackson

Contents

1. Prospect Profile 
2. Highlights 
3. Draft Projection 
4. 2024 Big Board 

Elmarko Jackson 

Guard | Kansas 

Height: 6'3” | Weight: 185 lbs 

2024 Draft Age: 20.19 

Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Prospect Profile 

The next great Kansas guard coming through Lawrence appears to be Jackson, who is a top 25 recruit in his high school class. He’s a smooth, fluid guard that has the ability to play on or off the ball. The incoming freshman is extremely athletic and boasts elite speed and good length for his height.

What makes Jackson special is his ability to get to the rim. He’s an aggressive downhill driver that leverages creativity, angles and strength to get into the paint. With that in mind, he still has work to do as a shooter, both from the perimeter and in mid-range situations. If he can prove to showcase a more reliable jumper, it will only continue to open up the floor for him as a driver.

While Jackson could be considered a combo guard today, his NBA ceiling could be dictated by his ability to emerge as a true lead guard. He showed the ability to run point as his high school career went on, but it takes a different level of facilitation and decision making at the next level, especially at his age. It will be fascinating to see if he is put in the Kansas system as a lead guard or plays more off-ball.

Jackson is an improved defender that has real upside on that end if he can get stronger and earn adequate time on the court with the Jayhawks. He loves to play physically on the defensive end and leverages his length very well. The Kansas prospect possesses the intangibles to make an impact on that end, but will be tasked with guarding some of the best guards in the country in the Big 12.

The swing skills for Jackson will be decision making and 3-point shooting. If he can generate a high number of assist and limit turnovers, NBA teams can feel good about him as a lead guard. Furthermore, if he can prove the jumper is adequate, it only enhances the strengths he already has offensively.

Jackson boasts athletic genes, as his father played football at Temple and uncle played football at Michigan. At Kansas, he'll have the opportunity to play alongside other draft prospects like Kevin McCullar, KJ Adams and Hunter Dickinson among others. 

Highlights 

Draft Projection 

Lottery Pick in 2024 NBA Draft.

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2024 Big Board 

Want to know more about other potential 2024 NBA Draft prospects and where they might get selected? Check out our Draft Digest Big Board.

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