4 Young players the Bucks should develop, 2 to give up on
By Tyler Watts
Develop: Andre Jackson Jr.
Jackson Jr. was the 36th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after helping UConn win the national title. The 6’6 guard was the Huskies’ primary playmaker during their tournament run as he averaged 6.8 assists per game. His numbers do not jump off the screen, but his defense and athletic ability had teams interested.
Jackson Jr. must improve his jumper if he wants to reach his ceiling. His shooting mechanics are not pretty, and he made just 29.3 percent on his 3-point tries over his three college seasons. His playmaking improvements have helped, but he never scored more than 6.8 points per game at UConn.
The 21-year-old struggled with his shot in summer league, but his athletic ability and defense were on display. Can the Milwaukee Bucks unlock his offensive game and turn him into a key rotation player? It is no guarantee, but at 6’6 with a 6’10 wingspan, his defense could be impactful without it.
Andre Jackson Jr. will be played off the floor in the playoffs unless he becomes a threat to score or space the floor. The Milwaukee Bucks liked his size and athletic ability, and they think new head Adrian Griffin and his staff can get the best out of the 6’6 wing. Stay tuned to see if that becomes a reality.