South Carolina Basketball: How did GG Jackson perform at the 2023 NBA Combine?
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina basketball had a 2022-2023 season to forget. Lamont Paris’ squad tied a program record for the most losses in a season (21), and most of the year was uncompetitive. However, Gamecock fans got to see an elite talent in GG Jackson. Jackson was, at times, inconsistent and showed some immaturity after graduating from high school a year early, but the talent was undeniable. He was an obvious choice as a one-and-done college player.
Jackson is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, but the exact value of his draft stock is a polarizing subject in NBA circles. In recent weeks, Jackson has been mocked as high as the top-10 and as low as the mid-20s.
Earlier this week, the Columbia native participated in the 2023 NBA Scouting Combine. As expected, some of Jackson’s measurables and testing jumped off the page and had scouts salivating at what his career could look like. Some of his combine results are listed below:
Height (barefoot): 6’8.25″
Weight: 212 pounds
Wingspan: 6’11.5″
Standing Reach: 8’10”
Hand Width: 10″
Hand Length: 8.5″
Standing Vertical Leap: 31″
Running Vertical Leap: 37″
Lane Agility Test: 11.39 seconds
Three-Quarter Court Spring: 3.12 seconds
Jackson is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft as these numbers show that he is one of the best athletes at the power forward position in the draft. He is also one of the best shot makers of any forward as he has the ability to finish in traffic and make difficult mid-range shots no matter what the defense throws his way. His outside jump shot is better than average, and he has a solid knack for jumping, impacting positively his ability to rebound and block shots. His athleticism and “offensive bag” allow for him to play some small forward, as well.
The biggest hesitancy that NBA teams will have regarding Jackson will be with the mental side of the game. He was a poor passer during his one college season, and his decision-making was often not good enough last season at South Carolina, although it is difficult for any player to play high-IQ basketball with how pathetic the Gamecock offensive game plan was for much of the season. He also sometimes displayed some poor body language when things didn’t go well, and he was committed to taking difficult shots, even if they were not falling.
Where Jackson ultimately will end up during June’s draft is yet to be determined, but his strong showing at the combine will certainly help his stock.