The Toronto Raptors, should luck not favor them and exclude them from the Evan Mobley sweepstakes, might have a hard time picking a center in the 2021 NBA Draft given the dearth of talent. Given how quickly he has shot up draft boards in the last few weeks, the Isaiah Jackson scouting report might be interesting enough to convince Toronto to pick him.
On a Kentucky team that really disappointed this season, Jackson didn’t have the gaudiest stats, posting an average of 8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He did excel on the defensive end, however, averaging 2.6 blocks per game despite somewhat limited playing time.
After Mobley, the center crop isn’t very bountiful this year, as UNC’s Day’Ron Sharpe, Western Kentucky’s Charles Bassey, and top international prospect Alperen Sengun from Turkey have all been vying for the title of second-best center. Based on some mock drafts, Jackson appears to be making a case for that ranking.
Jackson was recently mocked by ESPN to the Raptors, who held the No. 11 pick in the draft in this situation. Jackson’s stock has him situated around the fringes of the lottery, as CBS had him going 18th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Latest ESPN NBA Mock Draft has Isaiah Jackson at #11, BJ Boston at #35 and Terrence Clarke Undrafted
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 8, 2021
Jackson wasn’t the most productive offensive player, but this league is placing more of a premium on athletic ability than ever before, which bodes well for the inexperienced big man.
Will Jackson end up being the prototypical rim protector that is becoming more valuable these days? Or will his very unpolished offensive game hinder his success when he arrives at the next level?