What are NBA Draft prospects for UConn men's basketball star Andre Jackson? 'He's in a tricky spot' | Page 2 | The Boneyard

What are NBA Draft prospects for UConn men's basketball star Andre Jackson? 'He's in a tricky spot'

Status
Not open for further replies.
NEforceUConn said:
So he can play upcoming year at UConn, collecting some NIL, potentially taking a grad year (next year) at an $EC school (making mad NIL) and then play overseas?

I know UConn is a given, and trying to understand if he could get 2 years of NIL money.
Expand ...

You really think his ceiling is just playing overseas??? Good grief!
 
I would love to have him back as he completely changes what our capabilities will be next year.
Having said that , if I was his advisor , sadly I don’t think what’s best for his future from a *basketball earning potential is returning to college. (Unless he gets a huge NIL deal .)
I could be wrong but he has the tools to become an NBA lead guard in a Magic Johnson hybrid sense.
The NBA and College games are different enough that another year at our level only moves him marginally in the direction he is most likely needs to have success . . I don’t see returning as guarantee of moving up in the draft only delaying what has to be done .
Even if he goes in the second round this year and and plays at the G league level learning the NBA game , that might be a better route to future Big Money for him personally.
* I said basketball because the educational aspect could be just as important , as playing careers have a shorter window of opportunity than competing in the real world .
 
He’s not playing in the league until he fixes some part of his scoring package, minimum. But if he has a promise in the 20-40 range, you can’t blame him for going.
 
husky429 said:
I respect the support for our guy... but no. There is no way Andre could have averaged 20ppg.

I don't want to be a tool and critique every little thing about his scoring that is lacking on a public forum, but it's pretty apparent to anyone who understands the game of basketball that he's missing just about every basketball skill needed to be an average or better scorer. From his feet to his fingers. It's all broken--especially mentally.
Expand ...
This is why I think he needs to go, even if he's early 2nd round. He needs to be 100% focused on basketball all the time to make the improvements needed. I don't think he can do it in a 30 game college season while going to school. It would be great for UConn if he came back, but I don't think it would be great for Andre. He becomes playable if he can score at the rim with both hands and hit midrange jumpers. He becomes better than that if he takes the jumper deeper.
 
All picks have a lot of risk. Every player drafted will be a bust if they don’t improve some aspect of their game. Most second round picks don’t make it. Given his upside someone will absolutely pick him in second round or earlier. If he was able to demonstrate improved shooting he would absolutely go in first round and get guaranteed big money. If Andre is not certain he can get picked in 1sr round and he thinks he can work on his shot and get up to 33% on 3P I think he should come back. I think he can add +5% on his percentage and lock in a first round pick.
 
He has nothing to prove in college. Going pro seems like a no-brainer to me.
 
.-.
Rip did work with Jordan Hawkins last summer. Extensively. Don’t count out Rip or Ray or both volunteering their time to help AJ if he decides returning is right for him. And don’t discount AJ getting better results from putting in the work with them.
 
Jaydumo20 said:
I always seem to compare him to Tim Tebow. Obviously an incredible 1/1 000000 athlete: but they couldn't fix that throwing motion. It was too far gone.
Expand ...
See Bouknight’s 3 point shooting Pre demotion and post demotion. And he didn’t get the tutelage of a Ray or a Rip.
 
JustbrewitMan said:
You really think his ceiling is just playing overseas??? Good grief!
Expand ...

Yup, but note I was 100% wrong on Allen Iverson (thinking he was too small for NBA) and on opposite side Terry Dehere (thinking he would be a star).

So maybe the future is bright for AJ.

ps: I believe he loves the big time college bb experience.
 
Last edited:
husky429 said:
I respect the support for our guy... but no. There is no way Andre could have averaged 20ppg.

I don't want to be a tool and critique every little thing about his scoring that is lacking on a public forum, but it's pretty apparent to anyone who understands the game of basketball that he's missing just about every basketball skill needed to be an average or better scorer. From his feet to his fingers. It's all broken--especially mentally.
Expand ...
Yeah he definitely wasn’t averaging 20 PPG lol. I think Jackson gets a bit unfairly criticized at times, that stretch run he had from February on really cemented him as an NBA player IMO. I think a GM will see that & figure out how to utilize him. The fit will be crucial for him tho, he needs to get on a team that would know how to use him and how to develop young players. I’ll feel a lot more confident if a team like Miami, Denver, Boston pick him than if it’s a bottoming out lottery team. Miamis track record of developing these 2nd round & undrafted guys is super impressive.
 
TheHorde said:
Rip did work with Jordan Hawkins last summer. Extensively. Don’t count out Rip or Ray or both volunteering their time to help AJ if he decides returning is right for him. And don’t discount AJ getting better results from putting in the work with them.
Expand ...

He would get better, and more, one on one coaching at the professional level. It's not really debatable.
 
.-.
TheHorde said:
Rip did work with Jordan Hawkins last summer. Extensively.
Expand ...

You're living in LaLa Land, dude. This didn't happen. Jordan had his own coaches and was mentored/played pick-up with a number of ex-NBA guys last summer, including Ray and Rip.
 
tuvent08 said:
He's such a unique case both in terms of his game (as discussed) and his approach. He definitely isn't someone who has been looking to jump at the first opportunity (i.e., someone like that doesn't reflexively respond to a question late this season by talking about "two more years") and I don't know enough about his personal circumstances to know if the money would be truly life-altering to his family. He's just different -- he clearly appreciates being the BMOC in the moment itself as opposed to being a pissed off 40-something who didn't get it at the time. On paper he should go, but I do think he's just built much differently than a typical kid his age.

That is a lot of words for what is essentially a shrug emoji.
Expand ...
There are so many greats but Andre has moved to the top of my list of favorite all time UConn players. Besides his obvious talents he has great character and love of UConn. I remember well how he held the remaining players together last year after about 8 players left for various reasons. I’ll never forget that because he helped me as well!
 
TheHorde said:
Rip did work with Jordan Hawkins last summer. Extensively. Don’t count out Rip or Ray or both volunteering their time to help AJ if he decides returning is right for him. And don’t discount AJ getting better results from putting in the work with them.
Expand ...


Rips stuff with Jordan was fairly informal (and short in duration, what, a couple days?) working off ball tips. Obviously they paid off huge, Rip was the best at that, but to me that was more of a case of one Husky looking out for another rather than an overhaul of a basic tenet of basketball. AJ is a smart kid and a sponge. Everything makes him better, but he doesn't become a knock down 3 guy by 3 days of Ray shooting tips like Jordan could get out of Rips tips.
 
boog204 said:
If I'm an NBA team, I wouldn't take him in the first round. He is an incredible athlete and does a lot of things really well. But his offense/shooting is broken and I honestly don't know if its fixable. This isn't a "take lots of shots" issue. It's a total reconfig physically and mentally.
Expand ...
I agree. Shouldn't we assume NBA teams have their own needs to fill? Would they really want a project instead of what they need?
 
HuskyHawk said:
This is why I think he needs to go, even if he's early 2nd round. He needs to be 100% focused on basketball all the time to make the improvements needed. I don't think he can do it in a 30 game college season while going to school. It would be great for UConn if he came back, but I don't think it would be great for Andre. He becomes playable if he can score at the rim with both hands and hit midrange jumpers. He becomes better than that if he takes the jumper deeper.
Expand ...
He needs to invent a jump shot from scratch. There are only so many hours a day you can practice shooting before you hit the law of diminishing returns. He is not ready for the NBA as is, and I don't think it makes much difference whether he's in the G League or at UConn next year in terms of his development, because but for not having even a trace of a jump shot he can play in the NBA today. He should play next year where he wants to play (with money being part of what he might want).
 
.-.
HuskyBaggins said:
That's nonsense. The only place on earth where someone can learn to shoot a basketball is in the NBA ? Flat out not true.
Expand ...

Have you heard the word "strawman" before? You're embarrassing yourself.

Our coaching staff is on the road all summer recruiting. Practice hours are limited. And they're generalists by nature--they need to recruit, coach games, do team practices, individual practices... all of it.

Andre had a solid plan for improvement this summer. He's talked about it. But it simply can't compare to the 24/7/365 access to guys that are specifically hired for one job: individual player development.

It's the difference between seeing a primary care physician once a week or seeing a cardiologist every day for 2 hours. You're going to get a better diagnosis and improve faster if you're working with the specialist for more hours.
 
I guess the draft will dictate the tale. Does UCONN have a shooting coach number one? Number two, did anyone even try to change his shot?It almost seems impossible that in all this time it hasn’t been tried with the end result being Andre going back to the way he’s comfortable during game pressure situations.
Let’s break down his shot. He pushes the ball with some wrist action . Does it on 3’s, does it on floaters in the lane.
watch these 2023 Andre NCAA Tourney highlights:
It’s perfectly normal for UConn fans to be smiling and drooling after watching.
We all want him back of course because……we would see a lot more of this:


 
He does need shooting coaching that only the G-league could offer. But as far as money goes, could he not theoretically make more money via NIL as a senior on a UConn team that could plow their way into another deep tournament run?
 
husky429 said:
Have you heard the word "strawman" before? You're embarrassing yourself.

Our coaching staff is on the road all summer recruiting. Practice hours are limited. And they're generalists by nature--they need to recruit, coach games, do team practices, individual practices... all of it.

Andre had a solid plan for improvement this summer. He's talked about it. But it simply can't compare to the 24/7/365 access to guys that are specifically hired for one job: individual player development.

It's the difference between seeing a primary care physician once a week or seeing a cardiologist every day for 2 hours. You're going to get a better diagnosis and improve faster if you're working with the specialist for more hours.
Expand ...
I think you’re talking to the guy who blocked me after I dragged him for saying that Syracuse winters are essentially the same as CT winters lol
 
.-.
On a more obvious note, if his shot doesn’t improve quickly enough in the NBA/G-League he will definitely be given up on. He isn’t a Markele Fultz 1st overall pick with millions invested.
 
IMO.. Andre and Adama's value will never be higher than it is now as a result of their growth and success this year. .And obviously the team's success. With all of that being said.. If the NBA is not placing high first round value on either of them even after this year.. At the peak of their value.. What would staying another year(in college) accomplish for enhancing their draft value when contrasted with gaining focused attention from skill development coaches at the pro level to work on their perceived deficiencies?? More upside to go than stay.. As Adama believes.

There are 2 teams that have three first round picks.. Ind/Char.. Ind has also has pick #32 2nd round.. Charl has 2 first rounds and picks 34/39.. Four other teams have 2 first round picks.. Depending on trade packages/needs/draft day movement to trade up or down.. Could easily see Andre being taken within the first 40 picks of the draft .. Is it enough guaranteed money for him ?? Up to his family and agent..Could he make more by staying and having a higher draft position/guaranteed money next year?? Debatable but probably.

Would love to see him stay because he's fun to watch.. If I was Danny--Would be doing what he's doing.. Pushing him hard to look at every angle possible for feedback to take the next step..
 
The more I think about it, I think both paths, Pro Now and Pro next year have similar probabilities of success for Andre. I think he will be fine either way. Either way he needs a year or two to build up his scoring abilities. He could do that either in G league or college.
 
Rocktheworld said:
He does need shooting coaching that only the G-league could offer. But as far as money goes, could he not theoretically make more money via NIL as a senior on a UConn team that could plow their way into another deep tournament run?
Expand ...
if AJ is told he’s first round or guaranteed $ then go for it. If not, as I’ve suggested, mentally accept and plan another year at UConn (and maybe another naty) and 1 more as a NIL paid post grad (cough cough Kansas/Miami/$EC). Then go to overseas.

He will make bank and enjoy 2 more great college years. He is a smart family oriented kid so make a sound plan for future and don’t get jerked around with G league bs.
 
Somebody reported (maybe Dauster) that he doesn’t want to play in the G League over college (which he loves). So, he’s basically seeing if he can get a real shot in the league next year. If not, he’d rather come back for his senior year.
 
NEforceUConn said:
if AJ is told he’s first round or guaranteed $ then go for it. If not, as I’ve suggested, mentally accept and plan another year at UConn (and maybe another naty) and 1 more as a NIL paid post grad (cough cough Kansas/Miami/$EC). Then go to overseas.

He will make bank and enjoy 2 more great college years. He is a smart family oriented kid so make a sound plan for future and don’t get jerked around with G league bs.
Expand ...
I have no idea why you're so adamant about shipping Jackson off to an SEC school, it's a really strange look
 
.-.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Forum statistics

Threads
168,228
Messages
4,558,323
Members
10,443
Latest member
Billy Boy


Top Bottom