Andre Jackson is Staying in the Draft | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Andre Jackson is Staying in the Draft

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AJAX was a pretty unusual & amazing college player for UCONN. We all wish him the best.

AJAX's playing time at the next level will depend much on his developing an outside shot & scorer's attitude.

Remember: THE MOST IMPORTANT STAT in the NBA Now is 'THREE-POINT ATTEMPTS.' Where does that put AJAX with his current shot?

Father Demo
 
Kid became a Husky legend and the cherry on top is Syracuse had to watch him do it. Expected but still bittersweet. Best of luck to the young man.

Sad Am Fine GIF by MOODMAN
 
Even if he doesn't go first round, he'll find a way to make an impact that can't be ignored and make a roster.

I'm kind of chuckling at the universal praise AJax is getting here. I've been in the chat room with a bunch of y'all during the past three years and remember all the invectives sent his way, even this year.

He's been a joy to watch. Godspeed, young man.
 
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storrsroars said:
Even if he doesn't go first round, he'll find a way to make an impact that can't be ignored and make a roster.

I'm kind of chuckling at the universal praise AJax is getting here. I've been in the chat room with a bunch of y'all during the past three years and remember all the invectives sent his way, even this year.

He's been a joy to watch. Godspeed, young man.
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It makes sense though. Everyone has always loved the kid. He does things the right way, he's a leader, he absolutely loves UConn, and he helped UConn win a championship.

It's easy to overlook the clear deficiencies in ones game and highlight the things he's clearly great at when it ends in a championship, it's even easier when a kid is so likable. Even though UConn has won 5 of them it puts you in rarified air when you win a national championship.
 
storrsroars said:
Even if he doesn't go first round, he'll find a way to make an impact that can't be ignored and make a roster.

I'm kind of chuckling at the universal praise AJax is getting here. I've been in the chat room with a bunch of y'all during the past three years and remember all the invectives sent his way, even this year.

He's been a joy to watch. Godspeed, young man.
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Being torn down is a right of passage here. It means we care… :)
 
QuickDraw said:
Will will never see anyone like AJ again. One of the most unique talents ever at any level, he makes the game exciting for anyone watching. He was the heart of the team and will be missed more than most realize/
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Exactly. The skill level right now at the top levels of basketball is the best it’s ever been. However, everyone (tries to) plays the same way. Andre is different.
 
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A true team first kid who always left it all on the floor. I never saw, nor probably will ever see again, a college kid impact the game the way he did without chucking up 20 shots. If there is anyone who defies the odds in the nba, I am betting on Andre Jackson! Congrats to him and well deserved.
 
Regarding Andre’s draft prospects, I’ve often heard that a player needs one unique and elite skill to make it in the league. Andre has four; defense, rebounding, passing and “energy”. I think he’s going to surprise a lot of us with his impact in the league but I’m still going to miss him wearing a UConn jersey as much as any player we have ever had.
 
Just a unique player. It's hard to explain how impactful a player could be without being able to shoot. We are going to miss that guy that chases down every loose ball, long rebounds which bounce away and rebounds which are so critical. Rebounds and pushing the team to fast breaks in an instant. His defense on and off the ball, his passing for a swing big. I certainly had my frustrations at times with is inability to score but they made the adjustments last year that even made him more valuable. He will be missed but thank you to AJ for being a true Husky, a tough unselfish Husky.

A far as the draft, I hope it all works out for his sake. I watch a Haywood Highsmith come in the game for Miami against the Celts to guard someone and just grab minutes. I mean AJ is so much of a better basketball I know there's a spot for him but it needs to be like that, the right team. He'll be fine.
 
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superjohn said:
Man, I really hope so. I absolutely love the kid but I'm bracing for him being a second round pick. I desperately hope a team has fallen in love with him enough as a player and person that they use a first round pick on him and we see him get some serious playing time next season.

I want him to make it as badly as any kid I can remember, he's just an awesome person with unique athleticism and game. He will be a big part of the UConn family for years to come and I pray I'm hearing UConn references as he's leading fastbreaks in the NBA next season.
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Right, and it is probably even more than that. As a GM, do you want to spend a 1st round pick on a kid that needs heavy development and likely won't be a good NBA player until his 2nd contract, and maybe not even for your team?
 
Nearly a top 50 recruit and maybe the best raw athlete of his class.

Injured for part of his freshman year, took a while to get going but eventually became part of the bench rotation.

Started sophomore year but again clearly behind some key guys, and was still learning to refine his game.

Team captain junior year, came out with energy and passion and a love for the game. Gave 100% on both ends of the floor. Had some glaring weaknesses and became nearly unplayable as other teams schemed against him. But he bought in to what his coach was telling him, found ways to impact the game, and broke out to be a leader of a championship run.

From unplayable, to NCAA champion, to NBA draft pick all within a 5-6 month span. Andre Jackson is the ultimate case study on how to maximize your opportunities by buying into your team and giving it everything you have
 
Very easy to root for and probably the right decision given that his stock isn't realistically going to improve that much -- if he came back and was basically the same guy (elite athleticism, good floor game, but still can't or won't shoot) he'd go undrafted as a senior. The iron is as hot as it's going to get right now.

I hope he can stick as a glue guy somewhere.
 
Waquoit said:
GM's use 1st round picks on a kids that need heavy development every year.
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Consider that Andre needs more development than most. Vecenie and Spinella made this point on some Game Theory podcast and I thought it made sense. They likened his development trajectory to a guy like Gary Payton III. His shot needs to be completely rebuilt and he probably isn’t playable until it is at least meh and that is different than “raw.”
 
superjohn said:
It makes sense though. Everyone has always loved the kid. He does things the right way, he's a leader, he absolutely loves UConn, and he helped UConn win a championship.

It's easy to overlook the clear deficiencies in ones game and highlight the things he's clearly great at when it ends in a championship, it's even easier when a kid is so likable. Even though UConn has won 5 of them it puts you in rarified air when you win a national championship.
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But a whole lot of the BY didn't "love" the kid, going by posts and chat comments. Questioning his mental makeup, his BBIQ, he desire to "make SportsCenter highlights" over "smart" play. Cripes, we had hundreds of posts here questioning the wisdom of using him as a point forward because he was so "out of control".

It was just five months ago many BYers were still calling for him to get less playing time. And then there was a much smaller number, including me, who simply pointed out Dan Hurley was using him incorrectly, playing to his weaknesses instead of his strengths. And then, boom, for the next two months he "became" the guy who's rightfully a borderline 1st rounder.

Point being, he's pretty much always been that guy. He just needed everyone else to catch up to him.

Huskyforlife said:
Being torn down is a right of passage here. It means we care… :)
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Sadly, this is how the BY operates much of the time. Probably most every other sports board as well. I'd like to think that with age comes wisdom, and with wisdom, patience. Sanogo was pilloried here in '21-'22, as was CV for 3+ years. Could be my memory is fading, but comments just seem more vicious now as opposed to JC's time.
 
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storrsroars said:
But a whole lot of the BY didn't "love" the kid, going by posts and chat comments. Questioning his mental makeup, his BBIQ, he desire to "make SportsCenter highlights" over "smart" play. Cripes, we had hundreds of posts here questioning the wisdom of using him as a point forward because he was so "out of control".

It was just five months ago many BYers were still calling for him to get less playing time. And then there was a much smaller number, including me, who simply pointed out Dan Hurley was using him incorrectly, playing to his weaknesses instead of his strengths. And then, boom, for the next two months he "became" the guy who's rightfully a borderline 1st rounder.

Point being, he's pretty much always been that guy. He just needed everyone else to catch up to him.


Sadly, this is how the BY operates much of the time. Probably most every other sports board as well. I'd like to think that with age comes wisdom, and with wisdom, patience. Sanogo was pilloried here in '21-'22, as was CV for 3+ years. Could be my memory is fading, but comments just seem more vicious now as opposed to JC's time.
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FWIW, both Sanogo and Andre Jackson made huge turnarounds once Hurley started using them correctly as you stated. It was never their fault for their play.

Loved so much about Andre’s game as he did all the little things so well and the important things when it came to winning. I’m kind of sad he’s not leaving a better player because he has so much potential to be a truly elite player. I’m hoping he finds that development in the NBA because really no one deserves it more with how hard he works and the attitude he has.
 
runner11 said:
Consider that Andre needs more development than most. Vecenie and Spinella made this point on some Game Theory podcast and I thought it made sense. They likened his development trajectory to a guy like Gary Payton III. His shot needs to be completely rebuilt and he probably isn’t playable until it is at least meh and that is different than “raw.”
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So it's "extra heavy" development needed? Why didn't you say that the first time? He's a baller, better than those two stiffs from Arkansas. I remember James Young from Kentucky that was supposed to be so good. Ainge drafted him in the lottery and he went to the D-League immediately. A smart team can find a way to use Andre.
 
Waquoit said:
So it's "extra heavy" development needed? Why didn't you say that the first time? He's a baller, better than those two stiffs from Arkansas. I remember James Young from Kentucky that was supposed to be so good. Ainge drafted him in the lottery and he went to the D-League immediately. A smart team can find a way to use Andre.
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What is even the point of your post. Just take my observation and do what you want.
 
runner11 said:
What is even the point of your post. Just take my observation and do what you want.
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I disagreed with your original point, that GM's are reluctant make 1st round picks that need development, because it happens multiple times every draft. Your counter was basically "he needs even more development than most". Which I thought was laugh out loud funny. Few players hit the league fully formed, I don't see why you think AK would be some anomaly. The speed of the pro game will come to him quicker than most, he has the vision, all he needs is a better shot. And I think he can help a team while he gets one. You don't, fine.
 
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