Andre Jackson Testing the NBA Draft Waters: ESPN

[JohnFSilver]

He is not light years ahead of him as a shooter. Russ is literally the worst 3pt shooter in NBA history with a minimum of 3000 attempts, and he’s kind of progressively getting worse.

Guys. Jackson will take open set shot 3s in the corner. Or he won’t. He isn’t going to be drafted to be a scorer. He will be drafted to do what he does.

 

[businesslawyer]

He’s going to open a lot of eyes at the combine scrimmages. Best of luck Andre, and UConn nation will support whatever decision you make!

He's going to open eyes both positively and negatively. Yes, his all around court awareness and athleticism will surprise people. On the other hand, while scouts will be expecting that all he has is a poor set shot from the 3 point line, his total inability to either have any semblance of a mid range jumper or to be able to take someone off the dribble and attack the rim are likely to also surprise them.

So we'll have to see. That having been said, obviously I want him back, and our chances of being a conference champion go down significantly without him, but he's played hard for three years and is absolutely entitled to do whatever he feels is best for him.

 

[JohnFSilver]

Needs to be guaranteed by a team they're taking him with their first round pick, like get it in writing.

Otherwise it doesn't make any sense to leave with what we know about the kid.

Totally wrong there.

He can get picked 50th and sign a two way deal or even a 3 year deal. That’s what the G League and new CBA are allowing. Nba is much more developmental than past year.

They now have 17 roster spots, 2 2-ways. Almost all second round picks who are drafted will end up on two ways if they are not even signed to a full contract outright.

The days of cut second round pick are essentially over.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

A possible positive of NIL is
a kid who doesn’t get a guaranteed contract can make as much or more money staying in school than playing in the G League or in most overseas opportunities . That’s especially true of kids who leave because their families need financial assistance.
My fear of paid college athletes has always been worry about the destruction of the kid bettering their situation by utilizing athletics to just simply get an education. That’s been a wonderful tool for many years.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

He's going to open eyes both positively and negatively. Yes, his all around court awareness and athleticism will surprise people. On the other hand, while scouts will be expecting that all he has is a poor set short from the 3 point line, his total inability to either have any semblance of a mid range jumper or to be able to take someone off the dribble and attack the rim are likely to also surprise them.

Think if he comes back that would be the most important part for him. Kemba’s game went to whole new heights once he got the midrange game down because guys legit could not play off him at that point. It’d be the same for Andre.

 

[gsmooth]

If you get the guaranteed money if a first round pick, you leave. It’s smart testing the waters.

especially after the fact that he was a key contributor to a national championship. A player really can't leave on a higher note than that, or at least it is difficult to do so.

 

[AntG168]

Without Jackson what are our expectations for next season?

 

[metsfan2323]

This makes Alleyne leaving somewhat perplexing.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Gonna remind me of Byron Jones: pure athleticism will increase his status (plus he comes in with more hype)

 

[auror]

Without Jackson what are our expectations for next season?

With him, we're loaded. Without him (assuming Newton stays as the board's current policy), Castle and Newton can be the Newton/Jackson of this year. Timberlake in the Hawkins role. Karaban and Clingan a year better. That looks like a top 10 team to me.

 

[AntG168]

This makes Alleyne leaving somewhat perplexing.

Alleyne wants to start somewhere

 

[bendm]

Without Jackson what are our expectations for next season?

depends on Newton and Timberlake. If we get both we still have final four potential depending on how good castle is. if we only get one maybe sweet 16. if neither....then lucky to make the tourney.

 

[AdamaNation]

Exactly. Win win situation for him.

He’s either going to find out he’s valued heavily in the NBA or find out what he needs to work on to go higher next year.

If he’s outside the top 20 I think he comes back.

 

[AdamaNation]

Without Jackson what are our expectations for next season?

It makes us see Hurley go from very good coach to elite coach if he can work with the pieces he has despite losing his 3 best players. There won’t be another Andre. So his defensive strategy changes somewhat. I think he goes after another athlete vs straight baller just for the intangibles they offer. He loves high flyers.

 

[Big Loubowski]

Honest question: How does the staff manage AJ testing the waters? They have one available slot now, which could go to Timberlake, but assuming that he commits do they just wait and plug the spot late from the Transfer portal if AJ stays in the draft?

 

[dannyHAM]

Without Jackson what are our expectations for next season?

With him + Newton + Transfer... We might have a back to back situation brewing.. Without him, very good team but not as much upside.

 

[AntG168]

With him + Newton + Transfer... We might have a back to back situation brewing.. Without him, very good team but not as much upside.

I agree with this. Unless one of ball or Stewart proves to be a stud

 

[Rich]

Vaya con Dios, hombre. Gana te mucho dinero.

 

[superjohn]

Totally wrong there.

He can get picked 50th and sign a two way deal or even a 3 year deal. That’s what the G League and new CBA are allowing. Nba is much more developmental than past year.

They now have 17 roster spots, 2 2-ways. Almost all second round picks who are drafted will end up on two ways if they are not even signed to a full contract outright.

The days of cut second round pick are essentially over.

I'm aware of how the NBA works, thanks.

He should only leave if he's absolutely guaranteed a first round pick.

 

[Rico444]

I'm aware of how the NBA works, thanks.

He should only leave if he's absolutely guaranteed a first round pick.

He can't get an absolute guarantee that he's going in the first round. GMs can sign a notarized letter stating they'll take him if he's still there at their pick and that's still not a guarantee it will happen. Obviously a GM wouldn't do that anyway.

 

[JohnnyJr]

I think our offense could be better without Jackson. His three point shooting really hurt us in January and we’d have much better spacing with clingan and 4 shooters. It would definitely hurt defense and the transition game though.

 

[zls44]

2nd rounders can still get guaranteed contracts. from last year's draft:

31. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nembhard, G, Gonzaga: Signed

• Four-year, $8,583,166 contract. First three years guaranteed. Fourth-year team option

32. Orlando Magic: Caleb Houstan, F, Michigan: Signed

• Four-year, $8,207,150 contract. First two years guaranteed. Third year non-guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.

33. Toronto Raptors: Christian Koloko, F/C, Arizona: Signed

• Three-year, $5,239,563 contract. First two years guaranteed. Third year non-guaranteed.

34. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jaylin Williams, C, Arkansas: Signed

• Four-year, $8,207,150 contract. First two years guaranteed. Third year non-guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.

35. Los Angeles Lakers: Max Christie, G, Michigan State: Signed

• Two-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.

37. Dallas Mavericks: Jaden Hardy, G, G League Ignite: Signed

• Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed. Third year partially guaranteed.

38. Memphis Grizzlies: Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee: Signed

• Four-year, $7,127,014 contract. First three years guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.

44. Golden State Warriors: Ryan Rollins, G, Toledo: Signed

• Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed. Third year partially guaranteed.

45. Minnesota Timberwolves: Josh Minott, F, Memphis: Signed

• Four-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed. Third year non-guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.

57. Portland Trail Blazers: Jabari Walker, F, Colorado: Signed

• Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First year guaranteed. Second year partially guaranteed. Third year non-guaranteed.

How the heck do you leave Tyrese Martin off this list?

 

[HailUConn]

I really hoped he would come back and hone in his shot-making abilities and get into the lottery for a weak 2024 nba draft.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Best of luck to him in the combine. Ya can’t teach athleticism and he has a ton of it so NBA teams may take the chance and try to re-tool his shooting. Sad to see him go of course but three guys from our squad going pro in the same year would only help us long term.

 

[HooperScooper]

I really hoped he would come back and hone in his shot-making abilities and get into the lottery for a weak 2024 nba draft.

He still might.