NBA Comparison: Jaylin Williams/Trey Lyles

Strengths:  TJD stepped up this season becoming one of the most productive players in the country, solidifying himself as the draft’s top senior prospect … Bigtime athlete with explosive leaping ability and very good second leaping for rebounds … Dissects defenses with high-post and short-roll playmaking, as well as terrific vision out of low-post double teams … Doubled his assist numbers from two to four in his senior season … Elite shot blocker and rim-protector with his remarkable leaping ability and defensive instincts. Ranked fourth in D-1 with 2.9 blocks per game … Excellent mobility and athleticism on both ends of the floor … Tied for sixth at the NBA Combine with a 33-inch standing vertical leap … Outstanding pick-and-roll screener with the terrific lateral quickness to quickly shift directions and get up for lobs around the rim … Creates shots in isolations with twitchy lateral movement and the speed to get around his defender and to the rim. Can exploit mismatches against less mobile centers in the NBA as a “small ball” five … Switchable defender with a 7’1 wingspan … Deep bag of post moves over either shoulder. Long arms allow him turn post spins into dunks with deep enough positioning … Highlight finisher around the rim with the acrobatics and athleticism to throw down reverse slams and contour his body around rim-protectors. Ferocious above-the-rim athlete … Excellent rim runner who can finish anything thrown near the rim … Runs the floor masterfully in transition with speed and intelligence … Energetic rebounder, especially on the offensive end, who averaged 2.8 offensive boards in his four-year career with the Hoosiers … Stayed out of foul trouble his entire career with less than two fouls committed per game … Experienced and productive two-way player who will contribute immediately at the next level … Lefty with smooth, underrated shooting stroke who may be able to extend his range over time …

Weaknesses: Three point shot has not shown much development, raising question marks about his ability to add that to his repertoire, although teammates rave of his work ethic and desire to get better, so I wouldn’t put anything past him … Despite working hard in the offseason, he didn’t even attempt a 3-pointer in his senior season, though perhaps that was following his role and coaching strategy … Only went 0-3 in his career from long distance … Free-throw percentage remained steady around 68% for Jackson-Davis’s entire career … Already 23 years old … Currently seen as an undersized five without the shooting threat to play as a four … Will need to make up for his in-between size with dominance off the dribble and competitive leaping ability with larger centers as a smaller five

Outlook: One of the most productive forwards in college basketball over the last three seasons …Jackson-Davis will flourish in a middle of the floor/top of the key playmaking role that utilizes his terrific court vision and decisive decision-making in the middle of the floor. A two-man game with an elite PG and TJD reading the defense in the center of the offense can exploit defenses and create countless open looks for a 3-shooter system around him. Teams will have to respect his post scoring dominance in this scenario, bringing continuity and countless options to a brilliant offensive minded coach. A role similar to Draymond Green in GS or Domantas Sabonis role in Sacramento is the perfect way to incorporate him into the offense.

Notes: Measured 6’8.25” barefoot, 8’10” standing reach, 240.4 lbs, and a 7’1 wingspan at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine … 4x All-Big Ten Selection … Consensus All-American in 2022-23 … Averaged 20.9 PTS and 10.8 REB as a senior for Indiana … Holds school records for career rebounds and blocks. Ranks third in career points and double-doubles … One of five players in Big Ten history to register 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds … McDonald’s All-American game participant … Won gold medal with Team USA in 2018 FIBA Americas Championship … Son of former Pacers player Dale Davis …

Derek Bast 6/6/23