Kentucky center Isaiah Jackson scouting report: Should Raptors, Thunder be interested?
By Mike Luciano
Isaiah Jackson scouting report: Weaknesses
Raw offensive game
Jackson’s game on offense is limited to catching the ball and dunking at this point. He doesn’t have a jump shot, his post game needs a ton of refinement, he isn’t always the most efficient finisher, and he doesn’t show much as a facilitator or creator.
This is such an undisciplined package of offensive tools Jackson has brought to the table that it could take years before he can be counted on as a secondary or tertiary scoring option. Failure to expand his offensive game is a good way to ruin his promise and potentially cut his NBA adventure short.
Nonexistent shooting
Jackson’s biggest issues on offense stem from the fact that he doesn’t even attempt to shoot the ball from anywhere outside of the paint. He attempted just two 3-pointers all year, missing both of them, and most of his finishes were either dunks, layups, or post moves close to the restricted area.
In an NBA that is all about shooting, coaches will assuredly be all on Jackson to start adding more dimensions to this game. If he fails to become at least a respectable pick-and-pop big man, the offense might as well be playing with four players whenever they get the ball.
Skinny frame
Jackson weighs a touch over 200 pounds. While that weight might be enough to bang down low in the SEC, he will get absolutely eviscerated at the NBA level. Imagine Jackson trying to defend Joel Embiid when the latter has a 75-pound advantage.
The key to Jackson’s NBA success could be found in protein shakes and cheeseburgers. If he can add around 30 pounds of muscle, he should be able to match up with grown men in the paint due to his heart and tenacity. That could take some time, however, as his frame appears closed to maxed out.