Andre Jackson He put himself in a win-win situation.
After leading the UConn men’s basketball program to its fifth national championship, the Huskies captain decided to stay in the 2023 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility, According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
“My time at UCONN has been full of ups and downs, but through it I’ve been able to build relationships with my teammates, coaches, friends and fans that will last forever,” Jackson posted on his Twitter account. “I made so many memories playing in this shirt and I will miss them. But I will always be hoarse. Thank you.”
Jackson’s stock was high after the Huskies dominated during the NCAA tournament, and continued to rise at the NBA Draft Combine. During team drills and drills, Jackson’s unique athleticism and defensive fortitude were on full display to the hundreds of scouts based in Chicago.
Based on Performance: “Andre Jackson Jr. Lets His Game Decide His Next Step.”
“It’s not about making a decision whether to come back or go. It’s not about that at all. It’s about what I do here, in the next couple of days – he’ll tell me. The answer will be very clear. Once all this is said and done, it will be very clear, Jackson told The Courant after his first fight at the NBA Draft Combine.
My time at UCONN has been full of ups and downs, but through it I have been able to build relationships with my teammates, coaches, friends and fans that will last forever. I made so many memories playing in this shirt and I will miss them. But I will always be hoarse. Thank you all
– Dre (@andrejackson111) June 1, 2023
Jackson said he wanted to win the team’s first-round pick, and left Chicago expecting to be near the end of the first round or early in the second round. The main concern of NBA teams is Jackson’s jumper, though he’s been told that if he can develop a three-pointer out of the corner, the offense can adapt and offer him some of the running opportunities that have made him such an electric player to watch at UConn.
The uniquely athletic 6-foot-6 forward, with a wingspan of 6-9 1/2, has made such an impact on the Huskies that, as the cliché goes, that cannot be represented on a stat sheet.
IN SAFE HANDS: Andre Jackson says Donovan Clingan, Alex Karaban will keep UConn’s future bright
His 3-point percentage fell to 28.1% last season versus the 36.1% he shot during his sophomore season. Jackson only needed to post his average of 6.7 points per game, but he finished second on the team in rebounds (6.2) and tied with Tristen Newton, who announced he would be returning for his final season earlier Wednesday, for the team lead in assists (4.7). .
Jackson is projected to be the 32nd pick overall in Jonathan Giffoni’s latest draft mockup for ESPN.
UConn will be left in the hands of rookie sophomores Donovan Clingan and Alex Karapan, as well as grad student Newton, as it sets off in pursuit of back-to-back national championships. UConn’s freshman class, ranked No. 3 in the nation by 247Sports, is led by All-American point guard Stephon Castle, and includes Solo Ball, Jaylin Stewart, Jayden Ross, and Youssouf Singare.