NBA Draft Profiles: Reggie Jackson, Boston College

Bjorn Zetterberg of SwishScout.com will be helping us out with all of our NBA Draft Profiles this year. You can follow him on twitter @swishscout.

To browse through the latest prospect profiles, click here. To see a complete list of the players we have profiled, click here.

Stats: 18.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.1 spg, 42% 3PT, 2.4 t/o's

Age: 21, junior

Size:

• Listed: 6'3", 208 lb
• Official: N/A (He was injured and didn't attend the NBA combine)

Strengths: Jackson improved immensely as an individual over the course of his Boston College career, finishing his junior season averaging over 18 points, four assists, and four rebounds per game while shooting 42% from three. As a junior he was finally the focal point of the Eagle's offensive attack, which allowed him free range to shoot and create. While, at times, he struggled a bit with his shot selection -- especially when putting the ball on the floor -- part of that can be explained by the role he was forced to play on his team. While he did shoot 42% from beyond the arc this season, Jackson is probably at his best when he is attacking the rim. He's a flashy-but-controlled ball handler with some quicks and explosiveness when he puts the ball on the floor. He's a terrific athlete with a long wingspan (he was injured and didn't attend, or get measured, at the combine) that can finish above the rim. That athleticism and length is a part of the reason that Jackson is considered a potential lockdown perimeter defender.

Weaknesses: Jackson isn't exactly a pure point guard right now. Yes, he averaged 4.5 apg and had a nearly 2:1 a:t/o ratio. But that only means that he is a capable passer and playmaker. Jackson doesn't have the instincts to play the point. He's a guy that looks to get his shot first and can find an open man if help comes. Its possible to be successful playing with that mindset at the next level -- see Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose -- but Jackson probably doesn't have quite the upside of those three. Another issue with Jackson is that he doesn't quite understand how to use his athleticism around the rim. While he made Sportscenter a couple of times with impressive dunks, he struggles when he receives contact around the basket. That can be fixed with some added muscle in his upper body, but there is also something to be said for someone who plays up to his athleticisim. Jackson doesn't do that well enough.

Comparisons:

• Best Case Scenario: Jrue Holiday. Very similar type build, athleticism, and game projecting to the NBA on both ends of the court. Neither were really ‘true PGs’ coming into the league, but Holiday has a done a fine job with the 76ers, which looks good for a game with a similar type game like Jackson. George Hill is another comparison I've seen that I think works here.


• Worst Case Scenario: Keyon Dooling. Not a bad player, but not a great one who ever lived up to his potential. Dooling has great quickness, athleticism, and some skills as a PG, but is primarily a hustle guy who can defend, which is what Jackson could end up if he doesn’t ever get much better.

Outlook: Jackson could end up being a starter in the NBA. He's improved quite a bit during his time at BC, and he has the tools -- athleticism, length -- to be an excellent defender at the next level. The key for Jackson is going to be how well he translates his game to being more of a pure point guard. He's not going to have free reign to take any shot he pleases at the next level. He is going to have to learn to be more of a stand-still, catch-and-shoot player and someone who is looking to create for others first. Jackson can create points offensively and he can prevent points defensively, which should mean that if he accepts and excels in his role at the next level, he should be able to hang around.

One thing that needs to be noted with Jackson -- he feasted on lesser competition as a junior. Against teams outside the RPI top 100, he shot 60% from the field, 50% from three, and had a 1.9:1 a:t/o. Against top 100 competition, Jackson shot just 42% from the floor, 35% from beyond the arc, and saw his assist numbers drop from 5.1 to 3.9 per game.

Draft Range: Mid to Late 1st Round

And the experts say...

• Chad Ford: "At first glance, Jackson appears to have the requisite tools to be a first-round pick who will stick around for years, unlike Troy Bell, the last BC guard to be drafted in Round 1 (16th overall to the Boston Celtics, traded to the Memphis Grizzlies) who played in only six games in his NBA career. Jackson is a spindly 6-foot-3 point guard who makes athletic plays above the rim and on the floor, and made 42 percent of his 3s this year, as he led his team in scoring and assists."


• Draft Express: "Though Jackson's point guard skills will be important to his pro prospect, his improved jump shooting has been the biggest part of his impressive play this season. A reliable threat to pull-up off the dribble in the past, Jackson has improved his shot selection considerably this season, taking far fewer off-balance shots and sticking to his mechanics with a hand in his face. Though Jackson has a long release that he quickens at times under pressure, he has been much more efficient in catch and shoot situations. His [42]% shooting from three-point range is a major improvement from the sub-30% mark he posted last season, even if he still needs to continue shoring up his footwork and consistency."


• Swish Scout: "Lanky, athletic point guard that has become a greatly improved perimeter shooting threat and an excellent defender on the wing. Still a raw, developing PG prospect who greatly needs to build muscle, wisen up on some of his shots, and refine his ability to run the point, but has great upside as a starter in the league among a meek 2011 NBA Draft field."

Highlights: