Andre Jackson Testing the NBA Draft Waters: ESPN

[Blue Huskie]

Andre is a wonderful guy and great team mate and it saddens me to see he might be premature. He has the kind of skills that can only get better. Time will tell who's right here. But he will be the guy who either benefits or crashes and will have to live with the decision. I hope he comes back and hones his offensive game. To me I think that will be what really skyrocket his value.

 

[7774]

But a VERY talented guy called James Bouknight is not making much of an impact. And he has some pretty slick skills. A cautionary tale.

Lol, he may be a cautionary tale, but he’s not a “this guy left college too early” cautionary tale.

 

[Horatio]

Initial post didn't say "like Joey C or Alleyne", he said "like Yarin". It would be a one year player that is comfortable as the 12th or 13th player on the roster. If Jackson leaves, the backcourt will likely be Newton, Castle, Diarra, Ball, and hopefully Timberlake. Would have to assume that most of Jackson's minutes would go to Castle, most of Hawkin's minutes would go to Timberlake. Ball/Diarra split the Diarra/Alleyne minutes. The player to watch is Apolsolos. 6'7" guard w/ a good 3 point shot. He may take the Joey C. minutes. Or the Freshman wing Ross can come some minutes.

Thanks. I understood the initial post. My question was based on the difference in filling the roster spot if Ajax was fully committed to the draft or the approach he’s taking. Totally different. Not sure if Hurley would settle for a twelve man type or go for a better portal guy if Andre fully committed to the draft.

 

[7774]

If Hurley and Andre are certain he's a first round pick Hurley will lovingly push him out the door but it's going to hard for him to leave. I don't ever remember another player who loves UConn as much as Andre does and he's clearly Hurley's favorite player he's ever coached. Hurley is in awe of him and it's much closer than a coach player relationship.

Caron is the only one that comes to mind. I’ll always remember him crying at the press conference when he said he was leaving, because he didn’t want to go.

 

[Palatine]

Dre needs to careful testing the waters.

 

[NJHoops]

If Hurley and Andre are certain he's a first round pick Hurley will lovingly push him out the door but it's going to hard for him to leave. I don't ever remember another player who loves UConn as much as Andre does and he's clearly Hurley's favorite player he's ever coached. Hurley is in awe of him and it's much closer than a coach player relationship.

Tough break for Andrew!


(It might still be EC, but Andre is up there)

 

[arch]

El-Amin's problem was that he's a 5'10 fat guy. He improved his game in his junior season and proved he could play offense in the NBA but nobody gave him a chance because they didn't think he could cut it on D.

I think it was more than “they didn’t think he could cut it on D”. Also, didn’t he get chosen to all rookie NBA team? If so, that might suggest that he got a chance, no?

 

[nadavtheman]

Lol, he may be a cautionary tale, but he’s not a “this guy left college too early” cautionary tale disagree.

I respectfully disagree. Bouk would have benefited from another year both on the court and off. Grow physically, work on defense, become more mature, more self aware, more responsible, many more mores but I'll stop here

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

Can we give NBA teams NIL money to NOT take Andre?

 

[Huskyforlife]

still think castle wont be starting?

He’d start if Andre is done. Way more logical fit in the lineup as the second ball handler.

 

[temery]

Newton better be using this time to troll for NIL cash.

 

[zls44]

because his deal wasnt fully guaranteed

51. Atlanta Hawks: Tyrese Martin, F, UConn: Signed

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

My bad, thought his was guaranteed for both. Don’t get old, it stinks.

 

[The Shot]

But a VERY talented guy called James Bouknight is not making much of an impact. And he has some pretty slick skills. A cautionary tale.

I wish I was a cautionary tale that will make a minimum $12+ million.

 

[ucp990411]

If Andre does come back my question for you NBA fans is how many college seniors get drafted in the first round? Not many I believe. His draft value may never be higher. And those that think he should come back to work on his shot. What do you think NBA players do that are serious about their game? They work on what they need to improve on and take care of their bodies with the best coaches in the world. Andre will do what he needs to do to elevate his game, contrary to a recent UConn draft pick.

 

[BPT2Storrs]

Andre surely has the athleticism and determination to be a first rounder. Obviously I would love to see him back for one more season, but if he’s got the opportunity to be drafted then he needs to seize that opportunity.

It’s truly my belief that if he does stay one more year he will be in the gym night in night out working on his shot as well as ways to create his shot. He does that and he’s guaranteed lottery pick next year.

Might be my favorite husky of all time.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Smart move. Best of luck to Andre in the process!

Smart move by Ajax. I would hope Sanogo does the same. If they get a guarantee of a first round selection they should both go. That being said i have to be honest i dont think Ajax is ready for the NBA game. Hes Ben Simmons 2.o but smaller.

 

[LetsGoUC]

the recruiting class of Andre and Adama turned this program around

 

[gsmooth]

Future UConn Head Coach Andre Jackson Jr.

I could completely see him become a head coach somewhere, especially UConn. His basketball IQ is very high. Sometimes it doesn't look that way to others when he gets over emotional, but when his emotions are under control, like it was in Feb-April, it's more obvious to non-UConn fans.

 

[Rico444]

I think it's a virtual certainty that he's going to be outside the top 20 but if somebody guarantees that they're taking him at the back end of the first round he's gotta go. I don't get this notion that he has to go if he's a second rounder. I think he's pretty much guaranteed to be picked by somebody in the second round but I'm not sure that's better than coming back to UConn for another year. The second round will be there next year.

Not to mention one more year will get him a degree. I agree 100% he needs to go if he's guaranteed a first, but the kid clearly loves it here so there's value in coming back vs. rolling the dice on a potential non-guaranteed deal.

 

[Hunt for 7]

It is interesting that no one has made the Lonzo Ball comparison. Does any one remember how bad a shooter he was. If he can become enough of a shooter to make it the nba why can’t Andre. Ball is a point guard. My assessment is that Ball was better at scoring on penetration to the rim but Andre was starting to get better as the tourney moved along. I have not checked percentages but Andre shoots free throws at least as good as Ball . They are both great passers. Both have great handle. Both are listed at 6’6” although to my eye Andre looks bigger. Andre is a much better defender. Andre clearly gets all high marks as a quality person. I am guessing this comparison has not been made since Ball has not played in quite some time dealing with a bum knee. Shows you what marketing does, good for show and it got him noticed but in the end all the drama with his Dad did not help his career long term. Andre already knows who he is and is not trying to be something he is not. Ball got it together after his father toned the bs down.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Andre career FT% 71%. Ball NBA career FT%54.6%. Ball has gotten better every year. Andre shot 90% as Freshman small sample size. 71% as a Sophomore and regressed to 65% this year. But he did make some big FT early in the year.

 

[XLCenterFan]

I don't think it's any coincidence that Andre made this announcement right after @Storrs South season compilation came out. NBA scouts watched it and were like "oh...that's how they won it all in spectacular fashion." Danny's phone was ringing off the hook. Thanks @Storrs South !!!

 

[Palatine]

Andre has a little Billy Martin in him. It gets the better of him but it also makes him better.

 

[jibsey]

Andre, simply one of the greatest Huskies to ever wear the uniform. That said I want him to have a better jump shot for his future success. Why he hasn’t gotten it yet I don’t understand because he’s had plenty of coaching and time here at UCONN. We all wonder the same thing but maybe he can shoot both ways but his old way gets better results in games and he’s reluctant to do it under pressure?

 

[XLCenterFan]

I respectfully disagree. Bouk would have benefited from another year both on the court and off. Grow physically, work on defense, become more mature, more self aware, more responsible, many more mores but I'll stop here

Bouk turned into a negative for the team. Bad attitude...bad disposition on the court...had to do it all. Worlds of talent and I loved him, but he was not part of a cohesive team and was not the type to put the team first.

 

[Greg]

Do you get the feeling he is more likely to leave than stay?

I think he will be a first rounder. At that point he should go.

 

[Storrs South]

I don't think it's any coincidence that Andre made this announcement right after @Storrs South season compilation came out. NBA scouts watched it and were like "oh...that's how they won it all in spectacular fashion." Danny's phone was ringing off the hook. Thanks @Storrs South !!!

If Andre wants to hire me as his publicist I would happily accept

 

[Sick Puppy]

Duke's Deep Pockets

'21-'22 Rookie Salaries

It's a business deal. He'll make the right choice when he gets more data. Super together kid.

Breaks down something like this according to the attached.

Top 10 pick=guaranteed 4years approx. 28mill.
Top 20 pick=guaranteed 4years approx. 14mill.
2nd round=approx 1-4+mill.

 

[Huskybass]

Andre leaving would create a huge void for next season, but testing the waters is unquestionably the right move for him.

Sitting here kind of stunned thinking we may have seen Andre in UConn uniform for the last time. Sanogo and Hawkins were expected. This one caught me off guard even though it makes perfect sense.

 

[MexicoHusky]

One of the most unique things Andre did was his response to everyone transferring last season. He basically said, don't let the door hit ya in the ***.