NBA Comparison: Jonny Flynn

Strengths: Flashy point guard with explosiveness … Capable of impacting the game both as a scorer and a distributor … Feeds the post well … Solid creator out of the pick and roll … Excellent at penetrating and slithering through gaps in the defense … Deceptive with the ball in his hands … Doesn’t make many mistakes with the ball … Quality A/TO ratio displaying his efficency making decisions and valuing the ball … Plays in a pro style offense at Notre Dame … Despite a smaller stature he is a crafty finisher at the rim … He’s stronger than he looks and actively seeks out contact as he enters the paint … Good on ball defender … Can handle defending the pick and roll as well … Reads the player he’s guarding well … Has quick hands that help him pick the pockets of his opponents …

Weaknesses: At best he is only 6’1", and even with a 6’4.75 wingspan (8 foot standing reach) is on the small side… Older for his age group (will be 22 in September) … Point guard skills and leadership need work … Not great at creating easy baskets for teammates …  Better on the break than in half court … Could stand to add a few more pounds to his frame (currently listed at 194 lbs) … Can he withstand the physicality of the NBA and still play the same type of game he does in college … Isn’t always locked in as a defender … Will lose focus when guarding off the ball … Tends to be caught ball watching when his man isn’t involved in the play … Too much of a streaky shooter on his jump shots … Struggled scoring this season when he became the focual point of the offense …His three point percentage has dropped from 42 percent as a junior to 34 percent this year, and FG from 50% to 44%, (though his 80% FT shooting is decent) … That significant statistical drop off is probably partially due to Jerian Grant leaving the team and teams focusing more of their defensive efforts on him … Needs to develop into a better overall passer … Has to show that he can handle going up against guards that are as quick as him and bigger as well … Production trailed off in second half of season, how much of that had to do with a hamstring injury is the question …

Outlook: Jackson is a tough-minded guard that excels in the pick and roll … A solid passer and finisher, he can make it in the league if he proves that he has what it takes on defense … He’s an explosive leaper and scorer and will get looks in the first round if he enters this year’s draft …

Notes: Measured 6’1 (in shoes) 194 lbs, with a 6’4.75 wingspan and 8’0 reach at the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit … 2016 All-ACC Second team … 2015 ACC All-Tournament Second team … 2013 McDonald’s All-American … 2013 Nike Hoop Summit member …

Brandon Jefferson 3/25/16