NBA Mock Draft: Indiana Pacers Select Justin Jackson From North Carolina

SB Nation's NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team's pick. To continue the 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Indy Cornrows takes Justin Jackson from North Carolina

By Dakota Schmidt@Dakota_Schmidt Jun 16, 2017, 12:00pm EDT

NCAA Basketball: Final Four Championship Game-Gonzaga vs North Carolina

NBA Mock Draft Pick #18 -- Justin Jackson, Small Forward, North Carolina

SBNation’s Indiana Pacers blog Indy Cornrows explains their pick:

A 3-and-D wing is perhaps what the Indiana Pacers lacked most last season. With the possibility of losing C.J. Miles in free agency and Paul George in the near future, the Pacers’ search and selection of wings becomes even more critical. Look no further than North Carolina’s Justin Jackson. The 6’8” ACC Player of the Year and National Champion averaged 37.0% shooting on 7.1 3PA per game for the Tar Heels last season as a junior. Jackson’s perimeter shooting, 6’8” height, and 6’11” wingspan give him the tools to carve out a 3-and-D role in the NBA. I believe the 22-year-old is best suited as a shooting guard and would provide much needed depth at the position. Given President Kevin Pritchard’s eagerness to pursue size for position and Jackson’s three years of college experience, Jackson could find himself contributing immediately from the second unit. If Justin Jackson is available for Indiana at 18, he would be a great selection regardless if Miles and George are in the Pacers’ plans for the future.

Ridiculous Upside Analysis

With Pacers team that has a plethora of uncertainties in their future, it seems like a solid idea to pick a “safe” player that you can immediately place in your rotation. Justin Jackson is probably the best example of that as he stands as your prototypical 3-and-D player. Standing at 6’8” with a 6’11” wingspan, Jckson has showcased the ability to defend a multitude of different positions. Alongside with that, Jackson shot 37% from beyond the arc on 7.1 perimeter attempts per game.